Sturgeon hopes to deal with questions ‘head-on’

The first minister says she hopes to “take headon some of the ridiculous suggestions” around the Alex Salmond affair when she appears before the committee investigating the handling of complaints made against him.

Nicola Sturgeon has faced fresh questions over whether she misled Scotland’s highest civil court on the basis of information provided on when she first learned of sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor.

The first minister gave the Scottish Parliament a date of April 2 2018, which has previously led to claims she misled parliament, which she denies.

It was revealed on Saturday that Ms Sturgeon’s initial version of events were included in formal written submissions to the Court of Session during Mr Salmond’s successful civil case against the government’s botched probe.

Ms Sturgeon is scheduled to appear before the committee on February 16, but has had three previously scheduled appearances postponed.

Asked about the allegations she misled the civil court, the first minister said she rejected them “absolutely”.

She added: “I look forward to getting the opportunity at long last to appear before the committee of inquiry.

“I very much hope that will be next week. I am willing to answer all and any questions put to me by that committee including on the topic that you have just asked me.

“In addition to answering all and any questions, I perhaps will also get the opportunity to take head-on some of the ridiculous suggestions that have been made about this whole situation.”