Ex-First Minister Alex Salmond launches astonishing attack on Scottish Government amid ‘malicious leak’ claims during ‘sex pest’ probe
Salmond, 63, accused Nicola Sturgeon’s administration of disclosing info about an alleged incident at his former residence Bute House
RAGING Alex Salmond last night claimed the Scottish Government “maliciously” leaked confidential details of his sex pest probe.
The ex-First Minister, 63, accused Nicola Sturgeon’s administration of disclosing info about an alleged incident at his former residence Bute House.
SNP icon Salmond demanded Nicola Sturgeon probe how confidential material linked to misconduct allegations was made public.
But the Scottish Government refused to say if it was investigating the leak — as the SNP faced growing pressure to suspend the former First Minister over an alleged incident in his Bute House bedroom in 2013.
In an astonishing swipe, Mr Salmond’s spokeswoman said: “We have now reached an extraordinary position. There has been a flow of malicious leaks, totally prejudicial to the integrity of their process and to the interests of Mr Salmond and indeed those of the complainants.
“These leaks could only come from government sources and yet the Scottish Government refuse to say whether they will hold a leak inquiry. Perhaps they are frightened of what they would find out?”
A government spokeswoman dodged questions of a leak probe, saying: “This process has been under way in the Scottish Government for eight months and has been entirely confidential throughout that period.”
The clash erupted after reports described details of alleged improper conduct by Mr Salmond at the First Minister’s official residence in Edinburgh following a boozy night out.
It sparked fresh calls for the SNP to suspend the ex-leader’s 45-year membership of the party in light of the seriousness of the claims.
The Nats have taken similar action in recent years against other politicians before findings of guilt.
Shamed former Children’s Minister Mark McDonald was suspended in November 2017 at the start of a party probe into sex pest allegations.
And former MP Michelle Thomson was removed in 2015 after criminal allegations — but no wrongdoing was ultimately found.
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: “Following further revelations and the fact that Alex Salmond has been reported to the police, Nicola Sturgeon must suspend him from the SNP immediately.
“Not to do so will send the wrong message to members in her party and the people of Scotland.
“People who experience harassment should always come forward in the knowledge there is a safe environment to do so and that the workplace they are in treats their complaint robustly.
“The SNP must do all it can to give complainants the support they need, whoever the alleged perpetrator is, and make clear that there is safe space for any other survivors to come forward.
"The First Minister has been too slow to act on these shocking allegations.
“Nicola Sturgeon must take action and she must do it now.”
Any suspension decision would be down to SNP National Secretary Angus MacLeod, according to the Nats constitution.
But a party insider said: “It does not seem to be in keeping with natural justice to suspend someone with no wrongdoing proven.
“There would also be deep anger in the party if Alex Salmond was suspended. It would be toxic to many, many members.
“But the party faces a dilemma. There are recent precedents which make it awkward.
“In my opinion, they shouldn’t have jumped the gun in the recent past. It’s stored up trouble.”
Another source said SNP HQ could argue it does not have full findings from the government probe which would be needed to make a suspension call.
Under the government complaints process rulebook, Ms Sturgeon was briefed as both First Minister and SNP leader.
But it is not known what level of detail she knows.
Last night, an SNP spokesman said: “The SNP has no information on the complaints referred to.”
And quizzed on whether Mr Salmond should be suspended, the SNP spokesman said there was “no further update” beyond Ms Sturgeon’s comments on Friday when she said: “These matters will be considered in the fullness of time.”
Tories — who have not called for Mr Salmond’s suspension — said the Scottish Government had a list of questions to answer.
Tory MSP Annie Wells said: “We must respect the women who complained and allow due and fair process to continue so that the facts can be brought out.
“However, these revelations do raise questions about the way this matter was treated when it is alleged to have taken place, and these also need to be answered.
"Was a complaint made to the Scottish Government at the time? Was any SNP minister or official made aware of it?
“Was it only in January that anyone within the Scottish Government or the SNP was informed of this alleged incident? We need full transparency from the SNP and Scottish Government.”
We told how two female staff complained in January about Mr Salmond’s alleged sex pest behaviour during his time in office.
A seven-month civil service probe’s conclusions were passed to Ms Sturgeon, Mr Salmond and the complainers on Wednesday.
Information has also been handed to Police Scotland.
The Scottish Government’s top civil servant, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, then wanted to make details of the probe public.
But Mr Salmond, who led the country from 2007 to 2014, objected.
He threatened legal action to stop it on Thursday.
Later that day details were leaked, sparking an angry statement from Mr Salmond, accusing the government of using an “unlawful” complaints procedure.
On Friday, he dropped the gagging order bid after details were published in newspapers.
But he is still suing at the Court of Session over the procedure under which the inquiry took place, claiming it was unfair.
Ms Sturgeon and Ms Evans hit back at Mr Salmond, with both saying they would “vigorously defend” the legal action.
Ms Sturgeon said complaints could not be “swept under the carpet” due to the “seniority” of the alleged wrongdoer.
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And Ms Evans said Mr Salmond’s attack on the probe contained “significant inaccuracies.
Police Scotland said they were “assessing” information but a criminal investigation has not been launched.
Yesterday the force declined to comment further or say whether they planned to probe leaked info.
The Scottish Sun on Sunday asked the government if Ms Sturgeon was aware of the specific allegations relating to December 2013 claims before details were leaked.
We also asked if Ms Sturgeon was at Bute House on the night in question. But the spokeswoman said: “For legal reasons, the Scottish Government cannot comment on the nature of the complaints.”
They also refused to comment on whether the two women were consulted about making the allegations public, again citing legal reasons.
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