NICOLA Sturgeon has confirmed she will refer herself to a panel of independent advisers on the ministerial code regarding meetings she held with Alex Salmond during a civil service investigation into complaints against him.
The First Minister had three meetings and two phone calls with her predecessor during a Scottish Government inquiry launched after two female civil servants made complaints of sexual misconduct about him.
This afternoon’s announcement comes days after a judge ruled the inquiry carried out by the civil service was flawed after the investigator appointed had had prior contact with the complainants and that this risked the probe’s impartiality.
A separate police inquiry is continuing into the women's allegations. The former First Minister strongly denies the claims against him.
The First Minister said: “It is in the interests of the women who have complained that the ongoing police investigations are allowed to continue without any risk of prejudice. That must be the priority for everyone. “Questions have been raised about my meetings and telephone calls with Alex Salmond during the Government’s investigation into the complaints which were made. I have acted appropriately and in good faith throughout, and in compliance with the Ministerial Code at all times. However, I have reflected carefully and understand that it is also important for Parliament and the wider public to be assured of that."
She added: “I have therefore decided to refer the matter for consideration by one or both of the Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code. The Independent Advisers will now be consulted on their precise remit, and advice will also be sought on how to ensure that there is no risk of prejudice to the ongoing police investigation. The remit will be published in due course. The fact remains that at the centre of this issue are two women whose complaints could not be swept under the carpet. Any continuing commentary about these issues at this stage – whether from myself, the Government or Mr Salmond and his representatives – would only serve to distract from and potentially compromise the proper consideration by the police of the subject matter of their investigations. That is something we will not do.”
It is estimated the botched civil service probe will cost the taxpayer £500,000.
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