POLICE have launched an investigation into leaked information from the Scottish Government’s probe into harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.
According to the BBC, officers are looking into two reports of what could potentially be “unlawful disclosure”.
The Daily Record first reported in August 2018 that two female civil servants had complained about Salmond.
Separate probes by the Scottish Government and information commissioner were unable to confirm how journalists obtained the information.
Salmond revealed in August that he had instructed his lawyers to report to the Crown "the outrageous decision of some to publish leaked extracts of the Permanent Secretary, Lesley Evans' findings in the original unlawful investigation" in a new book looking at the relationship between Salmond and his successor, Nicola Sturgeon.
A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed it is "investigating two complaints regarding the potential unlawful disclosure of information".
The Scottish Government said it was unable to comment on any live police investigations.
The BBC reports that the inquiry into the second leak is linked to the release of the Scottish Government’s report on the Salmond case, which is published in a newly released book, Break-Up, about the saga.
Written by Courier editor David Clegg, formerly of the Daily Record, and Times political editor Kieran Andrews, the book was released by Biteback earlier this month.
Evans, the Scottish Governments most senior civil servant, originally upheld five charges against the former first minister, the book reported.
Alex Salmond commented: “I welcome the police confirmation of this investigation. I have always believed that if you find the sources of the criminal leaks then you find the truth."
The Scottish Government’s inquiry into harassment complaints was set aside in January 2019, with a judicial review declaring it “unlawful” and “tainted by bias”.
The Government’s handling ultimately cost the taxpayer half a million pounds.
At a later criminal case, the former SNP leader was cleared on 13 counts of sexual assault.
A Holyrood committee concluded the Government’s investigation had been "seriously flawed" when its report was published on March 23.
Officials are currently developing new guidelines for investigating complaints against ministers and former ministers. It is due to be published by the end of the year.
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