Labour and Tories pile pressure on Scottish Government over Alex Salmond investigation
3 min read
Labour and the Conservatives today urged “full transparency” from the Scottish Government amid an investigation into sexual harassment claims made against Alex Salmond.
The former first minister and ex-SNP leader has strongly denied two complaints lodged against him, and has launched legal action against the Scottish Government over its handling of a probe into his conduct.
Claims made by two staff members, dating back to Mr Salmond’s time as first minister, have been passed to police following an internal investigation by officials in Scotland.
Labour has now tabled a string of Freedom of Information requests, pressing the Scottish Government for more detail on meetings held between Mr Salmond and the current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, since he was made aware of the investigation.
The party is pressing for notes and minutes tabled during the meetings, as well as the release of any correspondence between Ms Sturgeon, her staff and Mr Salmond concerning the probe.
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, who is the party’s spokesperson for women, said: “The people of Scotland expect full transparency over this most serious of matters, but the SNP government has so far not been forthcoming.
“It is understood that Alex Salmond met the First Minister on multiple occasions to discuss the investigation into allegations of sexual assault made against him.
“It would be completely unacceptable if the details of those meetings remain hidden from the Scottish people.”
The Scottish Conservatives have meanwhile written to the Scottish Government’s most senior official, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, in a bid to find out whether complaints were raised against the former first minister before the start of this year.
Tory equalities spokesperson Annie Wells said: “There is a clear public interest in getting a definitive answer as to whether any complaints against the former first minister were made in this period and whether any Scottish Government officials or ministers were informed about them.
“The Scottish Government should instigate an independent review in order to find out the answer.
“This would show the Scottish Government was being fully transparent about its knowledge of any complaints of alleged misconduct.”
Ms Sturgeon last night said there was “no legal basis” for Mr Salmond to be suspended from the SNP.
In a statement, the First Minister said: "As SNP leader, it is important that I set out the reasons for the party's current position as clearly as I can.
"The SNP, like all organisations, must act in accordance with due process.
"In this case, unlike in some previous cases, the investigation into complaints about Alex Salmond has not been conducted by the SNP and no complaints have been received by the party."
She added: "Also, for legal reasons, the limited information I have about the Scottish Government investigation cannot at this stage be shared with the party - and rightly it is the party, not me as leader, that has the power to suspend membership.
"In summary, the party has no legal basis at this time to suspend Alex Salmond's membership.
"Of course, should that situation change, the matter will be reconsidered, as it would be for any member
"The party's rules apply to all members and no one is above them."
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