TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MR SALMOND – AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE FM

DECEMBER 2017 A new procedure for dealing with complaints about ministers or ex-ministers comes into effect after review carried out by Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans in agreement with Nicola Sturgeon.

JANUARY 2018 The Scottish Government receives two sexual misconduct complaints about Alex Salmond dating back to 2013 from his time as first minister.

MARCH 6, 2018 Liz Lloyd, chief of staff to Miss Sturgeon, meets with an ‘intermediary’ to Alex Salmond for an ‘informal discussion between friends’, during which there was general reference to allegations made against the former first minister.

MARCH 2018 Alex Salmond is informed by the Government about the allegations made about his past conduct. A meeting is arranged between him and Miss Sturgeon.

APRIL 2, 2018 Miss Sturgeon meets Mr Salmond in her home. Miss Lloyd and an intermediary to Mr Salmond are present. The First Minister has insisted that the meeting related to party business.

APRIL 23, 2018 Miss Sturgeon and Mr Salmond hold a phone discussion.

JUNE 6, 2018 Miss Sturgeon writes to Mrs Evans to inform her she has held discussions with Mr Salmond.

JUNE 7, 2018 Miss Sturgeon again meets Mr Salmond, this time in Aberdeen.

JULY 14, 2018 Miss Sturgeon meets Alex Salmond at her home near Glasgow. They speak again on the telephone on July 18.

AUGUST 22, 2018 Mrs Evans informs Mr Salmond of the conclusions of the probe.

AUGUST 23, 2018 The Daily Record reveals that the Government had investigated the two complaints – and Mr Salmond launches legal action.

AUGUST 29, 2018 Mr Salmond quits the SNP and announces fundraising campaign to pay for his judicial review.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 Police launch a formal investigation into allegations against Mr Salmond. JANUARY 3, 2019 Scottish Government legal team raises questions about whether it is necessary for two senior members of Miss Sturgeon’s team to be cross-examined under oath by Mr Salmond’s team. When

told they must attend, they privately reveal the Government is no longer challenging the judicial review.

JANUARY 8, 2018 Government drops its defence and admits that its investigation is ‘tainted by apparent bias’.

JANUARY 10, 2018 Miss Sturgeon is accused of breaking the ministerial code of conduct by failing to declare the nature of her talks with Mr Salmond.

JANUARY 13, 2018 The First Minister refers herself to the independent advisers to the ministerial code.