Alex Salmond inquiry: Former first minister re-invited to appear; SNP chief recalled

Alex Salmond has been given a new deadline to appear in front of a Holyrood committee investigating how the Scottish Government botched an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment by him after he declined to attend this week.

Alex Salmond has been recalled

Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has also been invited to reappear before the committee to give further evidence.

Committee chair, Linda Fabiani has written to both men stressing the tight timetable the MSPs are working to, in order to have their report completed before the Scottish Parliament dissolves for the May election.

The invitations come after the committee met today in a private session.

Mr Murrell has been asked to testify under oath for a second time on either January 26 or February 2, with Mr Salmond given a deadline of February 2 of appearing before the committee.

The former first minister had previously rejected appearing today citing the Covid lockdown and had asked to testify on February 16, a date the committee felt was too distant. In a letter from his solicitors last Friday he also raised a concern he would not be able to “discharge in full” his duty under oath at an evidence session due to fear of prosecution.

In her letter to Mr Salmond, Ms Fabiani wrote: "The Committee’s timetable cannot accommodate an evidence session at any date beyond 2nd February

“The Committee’s first preference is for you to appear in person and the clerks will be happy to discuss with you the arrangements in place to do this in line with current guidance. However the Committee is also content for you to appear via remote video link, with the Committee members meeting in person, and should you prefer this option our broadcasting team will work closely with you to ensure that the connection is as robust as possible.”

She also said that the committee was still in discussions with the Crown Office about what information from Mr Salmond's criminal trial, in which he was acquitted of all charges, could be made available to it within its remit.

To Mr Murrell she said MSPs still had questions they wanted to put to him and invited him to give "further oral evidence” in an hour-long virtual session.

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