THE Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of allegations against Alex Salmond will hear from its first witness today.
The investigation was set up after the Court of Session ruled the Government's actions in dealing with the complaints made were "unlawful" – with ministers paying out £512,250.
The committee has met twice before, but today is the first time that members will question a witness.
This is everything you need to know.
What exactly is the committee investigating?
From the Parliament’s website, the committee will “consider and report on the actions of the First Minister, Scottish Government officials and special advisers in dealing with complaints about Alex Salmond, former First Minister, considered under the Scottish Government’s ‘Handling of harassment complaints involving current or former ministers’ procedure and actions in relation to the Scottish Ministerial Code”.
Who is on the committee?
The committee’s convener is SNP MSP Linda Fabiani. Scottish Tory Margaret Mitchell is her deputy. Making up the committee are Angela Constance, Alasdair Allan and Maureen Watt from the SNP, Alex Cole-Hamilton of the LibDems, Labour’s Jackie Baillie, Tory Murdo Fraser and Alison Johnstone of the Greens.
When does it start?
The committee will question its first witness today at 11am.
Who will give evidence?
Scotland’s most senior civil servant, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans is first up to be questioned by MSPs.
Salmond, who was this year cleared of 13 sexual offences by a jury, will give evidence to the committee at a later date – as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
How can I keep up to date?
You can follow events via The National both online and print, with our journalists reporting live from the hearing.
You can also watch the event using the Scottish Parliament’s TV service: scottishparliament.tv
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