Sturgeon mandarin to face Salmond questions

Nicola Sturgeon’s most senior mandarin will today give evidence to a Holyrood inquiry into the mishandling of misconduct claims against Alex Salmond after she again refused to hand over her legal advice.

Leslie Evans, the Scottish government’s permanent secretary, and John Swinney, the deputy first minister, rejected an appeal to publish the key documents.

The move sets up another clash over whether Liz Lloyd, Ms Sturgeon’s chief of staff, can give evidence. The first minister is also being investigated over whether she broke the ministerial code by contacting Mr Salmond while her officials investigated him.