A “PROVISIONAL list” of witnesses for a Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s sexual misconduct probe into Alex Salmond includes the former first minister and Nicola Sturgeon, according to reports.
The SNP leader’s husband Peter Murrell has also been included on the draft list of what some insiders believe could be a damaging investigation for the party.
In 2018 the Scottish Government investigated claims of misconduct against Salmond when he was FM – Salmond then took the Government to court, where a judge ruled the probe had been biased and was unlawful.
READ MORE: MSPs hit out at Scottish Government over Alex Salmond files delay
A special committee was set up to examine key decisions in the probe, but was put on hold when the former FM was separately charged with sexual offences. Following Salmond’s acquittal in March the committee’s work began again and they are due to meet on Monday.
The committee is to probe the development of the policy which underpinned the internal Salmond investigation and how complaints were handled.
A potential list of witnesses has been put together by the committee, according to the Daily Record, and it reportedly features several high-profile Scottish Government figures.
On the matter of the complaints policy, permanent secretary Leslie Evans and deputy FM John Swinney are reported to be among the suggestions. Then on the matter of the investigation of the complaints against Salmond, civil servant Judith McKinnon and the former first minister himself are understood to be featured.
Regarding issues of ministerial code of conduct, Evans, Sturgeon and Salmond are all reported to be marked as possible witnesses as well as the FM’s chief of staff Liz Lloyd – and Salmond’s former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein.
SNP chief executive Murrell and senior staffer Ian McCann are also highlighted.
Names could be added to or removed from the list as it is a collection of potential witnesses rather than a finalised document.
An email has been sent to Scottish Government staff in relation to the initial probe.
It said: “I wanted to update colleagues on activity under way relating to how the Scottish Government handled complaints made about Alex Salmond in 2018.
“I know that this is an issue which has affected many of you, and I want to remind you of the support available for anyone who should need it.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “We welcome the opportunity which the parliamentary inquiry will bring to address issues which have been raised, but we will not pre-empt that process.”
Following his acquittal earlier this year Salmond said he would not comment until after the coronavirus pandemic – but is understood to be writing a book on his experience.
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