Fresh twist in Salmond case after claim that SNP was told
● Airport staff relayed concerns ● Salmond denies misconduct
The SNP is being urged to reveal what it knew about concerns over Alex Salmond’s behaviour made by airport staff after claims that the party’s Westminster leader was approached about the claims. It also emerged yesterday that the party was approached by the media a year ago about claims.
Police investigating misconduct claims against the former SNP leader have spoken to staff at the airport about concerns raised a decade ago by female employees about Mr Salmond’s behaviour.
The ex-first Minister denies all claims of wrongdoing and no formal complaint was ever raised with airport staff.
Broadcaster Sky News claimed yesterdaythatairport officials related their concerns totheformersnpdeputyleader Angus Robertson, who was leader of the party’s Westminster group at the time.
Asked by the broadcaster about what he knew, Mr Robertson said: “There are ongoing processes and… I’m not making any more comment.”
Sky News revealed it approached the SNP about the Edinburgh Airport claims a year ago, but the party did not respond.
An SNP spokesman said yesterday: “We cannot comment on complaints about Alex Salmond while police inquiries are ongoing. The opposition should be adhering to due process, rather than trying to score political points.”
The police probe was launched after it was contacted by the Scottish Government following complaints from two staff members relating to Mr Salmond’s conduct while PAULINE MCNEILL Labour equalities spokeswoman
0 Staff at Edinburgh Airport have been questioned by police over misconduct claims against former SNP leader Alex Salmond
First Minister. Mr Salmond has launched a legal challenge over the process used by the Scottish Government to investigate the claims against him.
His spokesman said: “Mr Salmond denies all suggestions of misconduct at any time and suggests that everyone should allow police enquires to take their proper course without briefing or breaching their confidentiality.
“Alex has not been interviewed by the police about any matter. He is content to have his case against the Scottish Government stated in the Court of Session in January.” 0 Angus Robertson refused to comment on claims he knew
Labour equalities spokeswoman Pauline Mcneill said: “This is a shocking revelation. We already know that Nicola 0 Alex Salmond has denied all suggestions of misconduct
Sturgeon continued to meet Alex Salmond while he was being investigated by the Scottish Government over sexual
harassment allegations. Now it seems former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson was explicitly told about these concerns by officials at Edinburgh Airport.
“The SNP must urgently explain whether Mr Robertson, one of the most senior SNP politicians, passed these concerns on to party officials and what – if any – action was taken by the SNP.”
A Tory spokesman added: “We need to see proper transparency from the SNP about who knew what, and what action was taken at the time.”
“It seems former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson was explicitly told about these concerns by officials at Edinburgh Airport”