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Salmond accuses Sturgeon of using Covid briefing to 'effectively question jury result' – live updates Salmond accuses Sturgeon of using Covid briefing to 'effectively question jury result' – as it happened
(30 minutes later)
Scotland’s former first minister appears before MSPs investigating inquiry by Nicola Sturgeon’s government into complaints made against himScotland’s former first minister appears before MSPs investigating inquiry by Nicola Sturgeon’s government into complaints made against him
Here are the key points from a mammoth six-hour session:
Alex Salmond has claimed there is “no doubt” Nicola Sturgeon broke the ministerial code, but stopped short of saying she should resign. He said Scotland’s “leadership has failed”. He added: “I have no doubt that Nicola broke the ministerial code, but it’s not for me to suggest what the consequence should be.”
Salmond called for the lord advocate, James Wolffe, and the head of Scotland’s civil service, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, to resign over the handling of the complaints against him. He alleged a “malicious scheme” among senior SNP figures to damage his reputation, but said he had no evidence the current first minister was part of this. “The government acted illegally but somehow nobody is to blame,” he said. Salmond said he did not believe Sturgeon was involved in covering up complaints against him, but criticised her for using a Covid press conference to “effectively question the result of a jury”.
Salmond refused to apologise for his own behaviour, but pointed out that a jury had cleared him of allegations of harassment. He said: “This inquiry is not about me. I have been acquitted of all criminal charges by a jury in the highest court in the land.”
Salmond was highly critical of the Crown Office and urged the committee to get round its injunctions against the release of information on the handling of complaints against him. The committee had been “systematically deprived of the evidence it has legitimately sought” after “deliberate suppression of information inconvenient to the government”.
Salmond claimed a leak to the Daily Record newspaper, which broke news of the allegations against him, was “politically inspired”. He said: “I think it does require further police investigation – I do believe I know the identity but I’m not here to speculate on individuals that I cannot substantiate.”
Salmond claimed Sturgeon knew on 29 March 2018 that he was under investigation for sexual harassment by her government, four days earlier than the date she first gave to parliament, because she had agreed to meet Geoff Aberdein, his former chief of staff, to discuss it in her Holyrood office.
Three witnesses could confirm that Aberdein was told the name of one of the complainers and that one had sworn a statement to that effect. Sturgeon and he mentioned that complainer by name when they met at her home four days later, on 2 April 2018, contradicting Sturgeon’s statement in Holyrood on Thursday she did not believe the name had been passed to Aberdein.
Alex Salmond has suggested that weak and incompetent leadership of Scotland’s institutions could undermine the case for independence, in a bitter attack on his former allies and party.
The former first minister said huge deficiencies had been exposed in the running of the Scottish government and the Crown Office, as he blamed both institutions for forcing him to live through a “nightmare” during the last three years.
Salmond told a Holyrood inquiry he had sought independence “all my political life”. But that must be “accompanied by institutions whose leadership is strong and robust and capable of protecting each and every citizen from arbitrary authority”.
In one extraordinary allegation, Salmond said the Scottish government had failed to disclose to the police that Leslie Evans, Scotland’s chief civil servant, had met two women who had indicated they could accuse him of sexual harassment before their complaints were formally made.
Read the full report here:
Fabiani: Any final comment?
There is an underlying issue about the powers of the parliamentary committee, Salmond says. But there is a solution, he says.
“Can I suggest you serve orders to my solicitors. I’m sure you’ll get full cooperation.” This would be a way of getting round injunctions on Salmond for releasing letters, Salmond suggests.
And that’s it.
Baillie: You have been careful not to call for Sturgeon to resign. Have you forgiven her?Baillie: You have been careful not to call for Sturgeon to resign. Have you forgiven her?
What happens to someone who may have broken the ministerial code is not a matter for me to say, Salmond says.What happens to someone who may have broken the ministerial code is not a matter for me to say, Salmond says.
Wightman: Do you have confidence in Hamilton’s inquiry into possible breaches of the ministerial code ?Wightman: Do you have confidence in Hamilton’s inquiry into possible breaches of the ministerial code ?
I’ve got every confidence that Mr Hamilton will discharge the duties in a proper manner.I’ve got every confidence that Mr Hamilton will discharge the duties in a proper manner.
Mitchell: If there was encouragement for women to come forward what was the motivation?Mitchell: If there was encouragement for women to come forward what was the motivation?
The motivation changed over time. I’ve have never suggested that the original complainants were motivated by politics. They were ill-served in being forced into a criminal process against their direct wishes.The motivation changed over time. I’ve have never suggested that the original complainants were motivated by politics. They were ill-served in being forced into a criminal process against their direct wishes.
Salmond says messages he has seen showed there was a desire for the criminal case to blank out defeat in the judicial review.Salmond says messages he has seen showed there was a desire for the criminal case to blank out defeat in the judicial review.
Some people wanted to give the criminal case a big shove forward.Some people wanted to give the criminal case a big shove forward.
Watt: You say you support the anonymity of complainers but you have provided evidence to the committee that has leaked into the public domain. What was your motive in not following the correct procedure?Watt: You say you support the anonymity of complainers but you have provided evidence to the committee that has leaked into the public domain. What was your motive in not following the correct procedure?
“I refute absolutely that anything we’ve submitted to this committee, puts a question mark on the anonymity of complainants,” Salmond says. “I refute absolutely that anything we’ve submitted to this committee puts a question mark on the anonymity of complainants,” Salmond says.
Wightman asks about the ‘witch hunt’ email from Anne Harvey. Is it legitimate to alert the police to other potential victims? Wightman asks about the ‘witch-hunt’ email from Anne Harvey. Is it legitimate to alert the police to other potential victims?
Yes, says Salmond.Yes, says Salmond.
Wightman says there is nothing we have heard to show there was an effort to remove you from public life.Wightman says there is nothing we have heard to show there was an effort to remove you from public life.
Salmond cites six instances including meetings between Sturgeon and permanent secretary November 2017 and then a dramatic change in government complaints policy led by the permanent secretary. Salmond cites six instances including meetings between Sturgeon and the permanent secretary in November 2017 and then a dramatic change in government complaints policy led by the permanent secretary.
And why else pursue the judicial review, Sturgeon asks. And why else pursue the judicial review, Salmond asks.
Wightman: what evidence do you have that the government was told it would lose the case?Wightman: what evidence do you have that the government was told it would lose the case?
I have absolute reason to believe that on 31 October the government had advice that on the balance of probability it would lose. Go and get the documents, Salmond urges.I have absolute reason to believe that on 31 October the government had advice that on the balance of probability it would lose. Go and get the documents, Salmond urges.
The Crown Office has given discretion to release information to the ICO, it should do the same for the committee, Salmond says.The Crown Office has given discretion to release information to the ICO, it should do the same for the committee, Salmond says.
Allan: Do you realise we require evidence of your claims?Allan: Do you realise we require evidence of your claims?
Salmond cites evidence from Allison and Harvey that he has brought forward. He also mentions the text messages, from Murrell. And the “lost the battle but not the war” message from the permanent secretary.Salmond cites evidence from Allison and Harvey that he has brought forward. He also mentions the text messages, from Murrell. And the “lost the battle but not the war” message from the permanent secretary.
But there is documentation from August 2018 to January 2019 that is missing. You are not helpless in this matter, Salmond says.But there is documentation from August 2018 to January 2019 that is missing. You are not helpless in this matter, Salmond says.
You are a committee of the Scottish parliament, you have a duty to investigate for the people of Scotland, Salmond says.You are a committee of the Scottish parliament, you have a duty to investigate for the people of Scotland, Salmond says.
“The degree of effort of the Crown Office prevent this committee from seeing evidence goes beyond any imagination,” Salmond says.“The degree of effort of the Crown Office prevent this committee from seeing evidence goes beyond any imagination,” Salmond says.
Baillie wants to check the timeline on when Salmond was told complaints were made against him March 2018.Baillie wants to check the timeline on when Salmond was told complaints were made against him March 2018.
It was a government matter, Salmond said. I would have gone to the permanent secretary and that was what I was asking Sturgeon to do. The WhatsApp messages should I believed this was the legitimate thing to do.It was a government matter, Salmond said. I would have gone to the permanent secretary and that was what I was asking Sturgeon to do. The WhatsApp messages should I believed this was the legitimate thing to do.
Is there a requirement under the ministerial code for Sturgeon to report to the permanent secretary a request to intervene?Is there a requirement under the ministerial code for Sturgeon to report to the permanent secretary a request to intervene?
Yes, Salmond says. He says his counsel Duncan Hamilton was at that meeting.Yes, Salmond says. He says his counsel Duncan Hamilton was at that meeting.
Why did Sturgeon wait till June 2018 to tell the civil service?Why did Sturgeon wait till June 2018 to tell the civil service?
That’s a question for her, Salmond said.That’s a question for her, Salmond said.
If you mislead parliament is it a resignation matter?If you mislead parliament is it a resignation matter?
The generally applied position is that if you have knowingly misled parliament then you would resign, Salmond says.The generally applied position is that if you have knowingly misled parliament then you would resign, Salmond says.
McMillan: What was said in the meeting 2 April?McMillan: What was said in the meeting 2 April?
Salmond says WhatsApp messages show he asked for Sturgeon to intervene and that he suggestion mediation. That was the right thing to do, but she changed her mind.Salmond says WhatsApp messages show he asked for Sturgeon to intervene and that he suggestion mediation. That was the right thing to do, but she changed her mind.
She said she wanted to help and that the permanent secretary would get involved. That was why I was disappointed when she said she would not help, Salmond said.She said she wanted to help and that the permanent secretary would get involved. That was why I was disappointed when she said she would not help, Salmond said.
McMillan: Is is reasonable for political parties to reach out to staff members about complaints over harassment?McMillan: Is is reasonable for political parties to reach out to staff members about complaints over harassment?
I do, but that is not what I was suggesting [when complaining of a fishing expedition against him]. Many people who worked for me did not get that message, Salmond said. This took place after the police investigation started, he adds, citing the date of emails from SNP.I do, but that is not what I was suggesting [when complaining of a fishing expedition against him]. Many people who worked for me did not get that message, Salmond said. This took place after the police investigation started, he adds, citing the date of emails from SNP.
The police should be left to get on with it, they should not be pressurised, Salmond says.The police should be left to get on with it, they should not be pressurised, Salmond says.
That is out of order but the information I would like to bring this committee goes way beyond that, Salmond adds.That is out of order but the information I would like to bring this committee goes way beyond that, Salmond adds.
Fraser: You have cited four SNP official as being involved in a conspiracy against you. Do you believe Sturgeon played a role?Fraser: You have cited four SNP official as being involved in a conspiracy against you. Do you believe Sturgeon played a role?
I have only made statements that are backed up by documentary evidence, Salmond says.I have only made statements that are backed up by documentary evidence, Salmond says.
Fraser: who should resign?Fraser: who should resign?
The people I have named all should be considering their positions, including the permanent secretary, Leslie Evans.The people I have named all should be considering their positions, including the permanent secretary, Leslie Evans.
Fraser: The Lord Advocate?Fraser: The Lord Advocate?
He should be considering his position. The institutions are sound, but people have to take responsibility. The Scottish government needs new leadership.He should be considering his position. The institutions are sound, but people have to take responsibility. The Scottish government needs new leadership.
Fraser: If the first minister has broken the ministerial code should she resign?Fraser: If the first minister has broken the ministerial code should she resign?
I have no doubt Nicola has broken the ministerial code, but it’s not for me to suggest the consequences, Salmond saysI have no doubt Nicola has broken the ministerial code, but it’s not for me to suggest the consequences, Salmond says
Fraser: Why do you believe there was a conspiracy against you?Fraser: Why do you believe there was a conspiracy against you?
The loss of the judicial review was regarded as cataclysmic for the government and Sturgeon, Salmond says. This would have swept aside in publicity if I had lost the criminal case, Salmond said.The loss of the judicial review was regarded as cataclysmic for the government and Sturgeon, Salmond says. This would have swept aside in publicity if I had lost the criminal case, Salmond said.
Salmond cites evidence from Anne Harvey, principal assistance to the SNP’s chief whip in Westminster, who said she did not want to take part in a “witch hunt”.Salmond cites evidence from Anne Harvey, principal assistance to the SNP’s chief whip in Westminster, who said she did not want to take part in a “witch hunt”.
He also cites messages from Sue Ruddick, chief operating officer of the SNP, in which she talks about “getting another complainant back in the game,” Salmond says.He also cites messages from Sue Ruddick, chief operating officer of the SNP, in which she talks about “getting another complainant back in the game,” Salmond says.
Salmond says: “There’s much more evidence that I would dearly love to provide to this committee.” But he says he is being prevented from doing so by legal injunctions.Salmond says: “There’s much more evidence that I would dearly love to provide to this committee.” But he says he is being prevented from doing so by legal injunctions.
Fraser: Sturgeon has one version of events and you have another, where is the evidence to support your version?Fraser: Sturgeon has one version of events and you have another, where is the evidence to support your version?
The people who turned up to the knew, Salmond says.The people who turned up to the knew, Salmond says.
Salmond said either deliberately misled parliament about the meeting on 29 March, or it was forgotten about. Both involve a breach of the code, he says.Salmond said either deliberately misled parliament about the meeting on 29 March, or it was forgotten about. Both involve a breach of the code, he says.
Fraser asks more about the meeting 2 April. Sturgeon has said the claims you are making are untrue. Are you a liar and a fantasist?Fraser asks more about the meeting 2 April. Sturgeon has said the claims you are making are untrue. Are you a liar and a fantasist?
The key thing is the evidence, Salmond says. The meeting on 29 March in the Scottish parliament was arranged to inform Nicola about complaints against me, Salmond says.The key thing is the evidence, Salmond says. The meeting on 29 March in the Scottish parliament was arranged to inform Nicola about complaints against me, Salmond says.
If the meeting and subject matter admitted, it makes it difficult to argue that the meeting 2 April was a party matter, Salmond says.If the meeting and subject matter admitted, it makes it difficult to argue that the meeting 2 April was a party matter, Salmond says.
There was nothing improper in the intervention I was hoping Sturgeon to make, Salmond says. Mediation should have been part of the policy, he said.There was nothing improper in the intervention I was hoping Sturgeon to make, Salmond says. Mediation should have been part of the policy, he said.
Did the name of the complainant come up in the discussion on 2 April?Did the name of the complainant come up in the discussion on 2 April?
I think it did, Salmond says. It was already known, he says.I think it did, Salmond says. It was already known, he says.
Sturgeon told parliament on Thursday that she didn’t believe the name of the complainer had been passed to Salmond.Sturgeon told parliament on Thursday that she didn’t believe the name of the complainer had been passed to Salmond.
Salmond later says Sturgeon changed her stance on assisting him in WhatsApp messages.Salmond later says Sturgeon changed her stance on assisting him in WhatsApp messages.
He says he did not recall Peter Murrell returning to his home during the meeting with Sturgeon on 2 April.He says he did not recall Peter Murrell returning to his home during the meeting with Sturgeon on 2 April.
Would you have expect to Murrell know about it?Would you have expect to Murrell know about it?
Peter’s non-appearance was not a surprise, Salmond says.Peter’s non-appearance was not a surprise, Salmond says.
Cole-Hamilton asks about the 2 April meeting and whether this was the first time Sturgeon had heard about the investigation against Salmond.Cole-Hamilton asks about the 2 April meeting and whether this was the first time Sturgeon had heard about the investigation against Salmond.
Salmond says he discussed the situation, the meeting was for that purpose. Sturgeon expressed no surprise, he says. Sturgeon gave every indication that she would assist him.Salmond says he discussed the situation, the meeting was for that purpose. Sturgeon expressed no surprise, he says. Sturgeon gave every indication that she would assist him.
“I felt the mediation proposal was the proper thing to ask for,” he says.“I felt the mediation proposal was the proper thing to ask for,” he says.