Alex Salmond to take legal action against the Scottish Government

The former First Minister is alleging "misfeasance" after an investigation into harassment complaints into him

Author: Molly TulettPublished 24th Nov 2023

An investigation has been launched into the Scottish Government by former First Minister Alex Salmond over a botched investigation into harassment complaints against him.

The Court of Session confirmed the case, Alex Salmond v Scottish Ministers, had been called.

The now Alba Party leader has alleged “misfeasance” by civil servants and is seeking £3m in damages and loss of earnings.

In a statement, Mr Salmond said: “Throughout this tawdry business I have done my talking in court or in front of Parliament.

“I intend to continue with that practice."

The former FM, who was in office between 2007 and 2014, was investigated by the Scottish Government after two complaints from staff were made under a new complaints procedure.

It was deemed by a judicial review to have been “tainted with apparent bias” after the Scottish Government conceded defeat and Mr Salmond was awarded £512,000 as a result.

He was subsequently cleared of 13 charges of sexual misconduct - including attempted rape - following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Following this was a protracted Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of the original two complaints, which called both Mr Salmond and his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, to give evidence.

Scottish Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray would not be drawn on the case when asked during a visit on Friday.

He said: "Unfortunately, because this is now in a legal sphere, there is no further comment that I can make.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on a live litigation."

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