Sturgeon ‘smeared by Salmond supporters’

Politics: First minister denies knowing of harassment claims

Nicola Sturgeon claimed she had been the victim of a smear campaign by Alex Salmond’s supporters as the relationship between the two politicians descended to a new low yesterday.

Ms Sturgeon angrily denied claims that she and her chief of staff knew about sexual harassment claims made against Mr Salmond before the two politicians met on April 2.

The first minister was responding to reports that she was aware of the Scottish Government investigation into Mr Salmond’s conduct before the pair met at Ms Sturgeon’s home.

Another report suggested Ms Sturgeon’s chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, contacted an intermediary of Mr Salmond on March 6.

It cited sources close to Mr Salmond claiming Ms Lloyd advised the former first minister not to stand for election due to allegations against him.

Yesterday Ms Sturgeon’s spokesman said: “This appears to be an attempt to smear the first minister.

“Suggestions by Mr Salmond’s ‘insiders’ that the first minister knew about the investigation before April 2 are not true.

“The suggestion put to Ms Sturgeon’s chief of staff that she knew of complaints when she met someone who could be described as an intermediary for Alex Salmond on 6th March is also not true.”

The spokesman did, however, say that Ms Lloyd had met with a Salmond “intermediary”, but it was an informal discussion between friends and was “not specific” to the former first minister.

He added: “Ms Lloyd did not know of any complaints against Mr Salmond or of a Government investigation.”

Ms Sturgeon has referred herself to the panel which polices the ministerial code following claims that she broke the rules by failing to record the April meeting until two months later.

Last week the Scottish Government’s investigation into Mr Salmond’s conduct collapsed in dramatic fashion at the Court of Session.

A spokesman for Mr Salmond claimed the controversy about the meetings was of “secondary importance” to his claim that the responsibility for the failed Scottish Government investigation lay with Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans.

He added: “It is the case that the first minister’s senior special adviser knew of the existence of complaints against Alex some time before the meeting of April 2 and that she initiated the

Picture: Heather Fowlie

first contact through intermediary.

“They then arranged the meeting which Alex asked for. Alex has no certainty as to the state of knowledge of the first minister before then.” an

INVESTIGATION: Nicola Sturgeon has denied all knowledge.