Evans to return to Salmond inquiry

Scotland’s most senior civil servant has been asked to reappear in front of MSPS investigating the handling of harassment allegations against Alex Salmond.

Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans faced pressure to appear again after giving evidence at the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints last week. Scotland’s top l aw official, Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC has also been asked to appear.

The inquiry was launched after the former first minister was awarded more than £ 500,000 when the Scottish Government conceded in a judicial review at the Court of Session that its investigation i nto t he complaints made against him were unlawful.

When Ms Evans last appeared on 18 August she was asked if she knew whether or not female civil servants were warned not to be alone with Mr Salmond during his time as first minister.

Ms Evans said she could not comment on the claim when appearing before the committee but later clarified in a letter she was “very willing” to answer questions on the issue.