Alex Salmond inquiry: Messages 'proving conspiracy' against Alex Salmond handed to committee

Material at the heart of claims of a conspiracy against former first minister Alex Salmond has been passed to Holyrood’s harassment complaints committee.

Former first minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament Harassment committee, which is examining the handling of harassment allegations him, at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

The Crown Office has released the information to the Salmond inquiry following a second section 24 order issued by the committee last week.

Mr Salmond claims the content of messages held by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) prove the existence of a conspiracy to have him jailed in order for the Scottish Government’s botched complaints process and subsequent judicial review to be overshadowed.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said the messages will not be published today.

Confirming material has been passed to the Salmond inquiry, a spokesperson for the Crown said: “It is vitally important that people who believe they have been the victim of crime, and those who can provide evidence as witnesses to crime, feel able to come forward to report that to the police in the confidence that they will be treated with respect, sensitivity and confidentiality by the police and COPFS.

“In order to protect that public confidence and trust, COPFS must process the information it holds carefully, thoughtfully and lawfully.

“Material has now been provided to the committee and it has been respectfully asked to give careful consideration as to whether or not it is appropriate and in the public interest for it to be published.”

The committee is examining the botched handling of harassment complaints against Mr Salmond by the Scottish Government, which led to a £500,000 legal bill after the Government conceded a judicial review challenge.

Mr Salmond was also acquitted of sexual offence charges in a trial last year.

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