Did Sturgeon mislead MSPs over secret Salmond files?
NICOLA Sturgeon ‘misled’ parliament by failing to hand over key evidence to an inquiry into the botched probe into Alex Salmond, it was claimed yesterday.
MSPs leading the Holyrood inquiry lined up to denounce the lack of cooperation from Scottish ministers, who they say have made the investigation a ‘laughing stock’.
The First Minister pledged to provide ‘whatever material the inquiry requests’ when questioned on the issue at the Scottish parliament.
But MSPs on the Holyrood committee accused ministers of ‘obstructing’ their investigation. Miss Sturgeon’s husband, SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, and Mr Salmond have also been accused of blocking its ability to progress.
The inquiry is examining the Government’s botched probe into two harassment complaints against Mr Salmond.
Following a judicial review, it was found the investigation was ‘tainted with apparent bias’. The ex-SNP leader was awarded over £500,000 in taxpayer cash to cover his legal fees.
He was acquitted of 13 counts of alleged sexual assault in March.
Yesterday, MSPs met for a second week in private – and will be forced to do the same next week to review evidence received to date, following the government’s refusal to hand over key files.
Linda Fabiani, Nationalist MSP and convener of the committee, said: ‘The committee continues to be completely frustrated with the lack of evidence and, quite frankly, obstruction it is experiencing.
‘We had hoped to be in a position to hear further oral evidence but with responses still outstanding from the Scottish Government, chief executive of the SNP and the former first minister, all of this means that we simply cannot proceed at this stage.’
In January 2019, Miss Sturgeon promised MSPs any inquiry would ‘be able to request whatever material they want, and I undertake that we will provide whatever material they request’. Murdo
Fraser, Scottish Conservative spokesman on the inquiry, said: ‘The SNP have treated the Salmond inquiry with contempt.
‘Nicola Sturgeon has undoubtedly broken her promise to release all materials the inquiry requested. She made that commitment but if she won’t release these documents, she has misled parliament. It now appears that this inquiry will be a whitewash.’
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie has accused the government and witnesses of treating the inquiry as a ‘laughing stock’.
She said: ‘The Scottish Government and, indeed, many others involved in this affair have demonstrated contempt for this committee and its aims.’
Both the Scottish Government and Mr Salmond’s lawyers have argued there are legal obstructions preventing them handing over cer‘intends
‘Broken her promise’
tain documents related to the action. However, the ex-SNP leader has offered to appeal to the courts to allow papers to be released in his successful judicial review.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the government to initiate legal proceedings to seek a ruling’ about whether documents relating to the case can be released.
The committee convener has also written to Mr Murrell asking for all ‘relevant information and records’ about the use of SNP communication channels for official government business and those relating to the inquiry and the claims against Mr Salmond.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Mr Murrell provided written evidence by the original August 4 deadline. The committee’s additional requests of September 9 set no deadline for a response – however, we are in active dialogue with the clerks about the further information sought.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘These claims are demonstrably false. The First Minister has agreed to personally give evidence to the committee – and as we have made clear, not only is the Government providing all possible material to the committee, we intend to initiate legal proceedings seeking to allow the release of further documents.’