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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/20/scottish-government-to-fight-alex-salmond-court-action
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Scottish government to fight Alex Salmond court action | Scottish government to fight Alex Salmond court action |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Scottish government has confirmed it will contest Alex Salmond’s court action over his claims that its inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him was flawed. | The Scottish government has confirmed it will contest Alex Salmond’s court action over his claims that its inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him was flawed. |
| Two women, both thought to be civil servants, accused Salmond in January of sexual harassing them while he was first minister, leading to an internal investigation headed by Leslie Evans, the Scottish government’s permanent secretary. | Two women, both thought to be civil servants, accused Salmond in January of sexual harassing them while he was first minister, leading to an internal investigation headed by Leslie Evans, the Scottish government’s permanent secretary. |
| Salmond, twice leader of the Scottish National party, is taking the government to Scotland’s civil courts, accusing it in the court of session of denying him natural justice by refusing to allow him access to the evidence or to present witnesses. He also claimed he was promised full confidentiality, and has denied any wrongdoing. | Salmond, twice leader of the Scottish National party, is taking the government to Scotland’s civil courts, accusing it in the court of session of denying him natural justice by refusing to allow him access to the evidence or to present witnesses. He also claimed he was promised full confidentiality, and has denied any wrongdoing. |
| In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the Scottish government said it “has this afternoon formally notified the court of session of our intention to contest the judicial review being brought by Mr Salmond. | In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the Scottish government said it “has this afternoon formally notified the court of session of our intention to contest the judicial review being brought by Mr Salmond. |
| “As we have said previously, we are confident our processes are legally sound and we will vigorously defend our position. There are a number of inaccuracies in Mr Salmond’s public statements and we will address those matters in court.” | “As we have said previously, we are confident our processes are legally sound and we will vigorously defend our position. There are a number of inaccuracies in Mr Salmond’s public statements and we will address those matters in court.” |
| In late August, Evans told Salmond she was planning to issue a public statement naming him and confirming the facts of the investigation. He protested, threatening her with an interdict or injunction. | In late August, Evans told Salmond she was planning to issue a public statement naming him and confirming the facts of the investigation. He protested, threatening her with an interdict or injunction. |
| She suspended that plan but news of the investigation was leaked to the Record newspaper and Salmond changed tack, instead applying the following week for a judicial review. | She suspended that plan but news of the investigation was leaked to the Record newspaper and Salmond changed tack, instead applying the following week for a judicial review. |
| It also emerged the harassment complaints had been passed to Police Scotland for review, which is thought to have opened a formal investigation. The Sunday Mail reported last weekend the case was being led by DCS Lesley Boal, the force’s head of public protection. | It also emerged the harassment complaints had been passed to Police Scotland for review, which is thought to have opened a formal investigation. The Sunday Mail reported last weekend the case was being led by DCS Lesley Boal, the force’s head of public protection. |
| Meanwhile the Scottish government has said it will not release any details about meetings between Salmond and Sturgeon to discuss the complaints and the investigation. | Meanwhile the Scottish government has said it will not release any details about meetings between Salmond and Sturgeon to discuss the complaints and the investigation. |
| Salmond revealed late last month he had lobbied his successor face to face at least three times after he was told about the internal inquiry in March, and implied he had contacted Sturgeon by other means, perhaps by phone or email. | Salmond revealed late last month he had lobbied his successor face to face at least three times after he was told about the internal inquiry in March, and implied he had contacted Sturgeon by other means, perhaps by phone or email. |
| The Scottish government has rejected a freedom of information request from the Guardian. It said that confirming the meetings took place, their locations and subject matter, or to release minutes of those meetings, “would be likely to prejudice substantially the administration of justice” and would reveal personal data. | The Scottish government has rejected a freedom of information request from the Guardian. It said that confirming the meetings took place, their locations and subject matter, or to release minutes of those meetings, “would be likely to prejudice substantially the administration of justice” and would reveal personal data. |
| Salmond has admitted he tried to force the Scottish government to take the complaints against him to mediation and wanted to change the investigation process by arbitration in front of a judge. | Salmond has admitted he tried to force the Scottish government to take the complaints against him to mediation and wanted to change the investigation process by arbitration in front of a judge. |
| He would not confirm exactly what he said to Sturgeon, claiming they were private meetings. “I’m not going to reveal the private contents of conversations between me and Nicola Sturgeon,” he said. “What I will say is I have told everybody who legitimately knew about this that this process was fundamentally flawed.” | He would not confirm exactly what he said to Sturgeon, claiming they were private meetings. “I’m not going to reveal the private contents of conversations between me and Nicola Sturgeon,” he said. “What I will say is I have told everybody who legitimately knew about this that this process was fundamentally flawed.” |
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