Sturgeon will have to reveal if she called in police over Salmond claims
Deputy Scottish Political Editor
NICOLA Sturgeon will be forced to reveal whether she was involved in the reporting of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond to the police.
The First Minister has been ordered to hand over documents and correspondence, including WhatsApp messages and handwritten notes, to a powerful Holyrood committee by next month.
She is set to face questions on when she was made aware of complaints against her predecessor, what action she took and ‘actions you invited others to take’ after learning of the allegations.
Miss Sturgeon will also be forced to reveal her ‘involvement in the decision to refer the complaints to the police’ and whether she believes the response was ‘appropriate or effective’. Evidence sessions are due to begin in the Scottish parliament next month, with witnesses to give evidence under oath.
Committee convener Linda Fabiani has urged those involved to hand over relevant emails, text and WhatsApp messages. She is also seeking handwritten notes, as well as physical typed documents in relation to the complaints against Mr Salmond and the botched government inquiry.
Mr Salmond is among those asked for information, as is Miss Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, the SNP’s chief executive.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Miss Sturgeon’s chief of staff Liz Lloyd, permanent secretary Leslie Evans and Lord Advocate James Wolffe will all appear.
In 2018, it emerged two women had made harassment complaints against Mr Salmond, relating to his time as First Minister.
He launched a judicial review against the Government over the investigation into the complaints.
Mr Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual assault charges, including attempted rape, after a criminal trial in March.
The committee will investigate circumstances surrounding the judicial review after the Court of Session found the Government’s handling of complaints was unlawful and ‘tainted with apparent bias’. Mr Salmond was awarded £512,250 of taxpayers’ money.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We welcome the opportunity which the parliamentary inquiry will bring to address issues which have been raised.’