THE Holyrood committee looking into how the Scottish Government dealt with sexual misconduct claims against Alex Salmond has voiced its “frustration and disappointment” as certain key documents were withheld on legal grounds.
The cross-party committee sent a letter to the Scottish Government’s top official demanding the evidence is submitted to the inquiry.
Last week it emerged the Scottish Government was asserting “its privilege over all communications it holds about or in relation to legal advice to the Scottish Government and litigation involving the Scottish Government”.
It said: “That is not to say that the Scottish Government will not give a full account of its legal position at various points, just that, in accordance with usual practice, it will not disclose the internal processes of taking and receiving advice or the scope and nature of any requests for legal advice or any legal advice provided.”
READ MORE: Scottish Government refuses to submit its legal advice to Alex Salmond inquiry
MPs on the committee have now said they expect a detailed description of files being withheld and why “as a matter of absolute urgency”.
Former first minister Salmond took action against the Scottish Government at the Court of Session over its handling of sexual misconduct claims against him.
The action got the probe set aside and forced ministers to admit the investigation had been “tainted by apparent bias”.
The Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints seekes evidence from ministers including how the complaints policy against Salmond was developed, the judicial review and on the investigation of the complaints themselves.
They had asked for evidence to be submitted by the end of July, but this deadline was not met. Permanent secretary Leslie Evans said the need for legal checks on the documents, plus disruption from the Covid-19 crisis, meant they may not be ready until the end of August or later.
Alex Salmond was acquitted of all charges of sexual assault at the High Court in Edinburgh in March.
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