Former top civil servant ‘well aware’ of Salmond’s bullying behaviour
● But Committee hears there was no suggestions of sexual misconduct
Scotland’s former leading civil servant, Sir Peter Housden, has told MSPS he knew the former First Minister Alex S almond“could display bullying or intimidatory behaviour ”, but said no formal complaints were made against him or any other ministers when he was in post.
The former Permanent Secretary yesterday appeared before Holyrood’s committee on the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints against Mr Salmond, and said there had been a “number of conversations” with colleagues about how to “smooth things along” during his five years in post.
However despite repeated questioning about whether he spoke to Nicola Sturgeon, then the Deputy First Minis t er, about Mr Salmon d’ s behaviour, Sir Peter said he was bound by a civil service code of confidentiality, but it would have been “appropriate to speak with a senior member of the administration.”
Sir Peter, who was replaced by Leslie Evans in 2015, told the cross-party committee investigating the government’ s bungled inquiry into sexual harassment allegations–which resulted in a court victory for Mr Salmond and a £512,000 legal bill for costs-that he was “well aware” of bullying behaviour in government
though there were no indications or “suggestions of sexual misconduct”.
Sir Peter said he was not witness to any bullying by Mr Salmond, but was “well aware” from conversations with his principle private secretary and others that it occurred.
“I knew that the former First Minister could display bullying and intimidatory behaviour. I knew the situation we were dealing with,” he said.
He said Mr Salmond’s office usually ran very well, and staff were excited to be there, but this was “punctuated” by issues with his conduct.
His evidence was later supported by Barbara Allison, Director for Communications, Ministerial Support& Facilities who said Mr S almond would“express his displeasure” if people failed to meet the high standards he expected while in office.
“In fairness people also expressed that they enjoyed working for him. He was visionary. He was dynamic. It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” she said. “I think there’s lots of shades of grey. There were rumours of [him being] demanding and difficult, but I think people had different experiences.”
She also said she never heard of sexual misconduct concerns while Mr Salmond was First Minister but did in late 2017 when two female civil servants raised them.
“I knew that the former First Minister could display bullying and intimidatory behaviour. I knew the situation we were dealing with”
SIR PETER HOUSDEN