I Told Sturgeon About Concerns Over Salmond In November 2017

Inquiry hears First Minister was informed months before probe started

- Andy Philip

Nicola Sturgeon knew about concerns over Alex Salmond’s behaviour months before a formal Scottish Government probe into alleged harassment, an inquiry has heard.

Civil service boss Leslie Evans said yesterday she raised the issue with Sturgeon in November 2017 after learning about media interest in an “incident” at Edinburgh Airport.

It adds to growing questions about the timeline of events while the Scottish Government was drawing up a complaints policy covering ex-ministers.

Evans was appearing before MSPs on a special Holyrood committee set up to investigate the Scottish Government’s botched handling of its inquiry into allegations about Salmond’s conduct.

The former first minister was accused of harassment, which he denied. A judicial review then found the Government inquiry was biased and unlawful, and MSPs are now raking over the fiasco.

Evans, the first official to appear before the committee, said concerns were raised by “a whole range of people” in November 2017.