Key data may have already been deleted in Alex Salmond case

Key data relating to the Scottish Government's collapsed harassment probe into Alex Salmond may already have been "deleted", the Scottish Government's top civil servant has suggested.

The Scottish Government's probe into Alex Salmond collapsed in court

Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans has told MSPs that "automated systems" mean that civil servants emails are deleted after 14 months. Steps have now been taken to ensure individuals deemed to have had an involvement in the Salmond case will have such material retained.

The instruction not to delete material went to civil servants who had "direct or indirect involvement" in the handling of the complaints, the mandarin adds.

MS Evans that the "confidential nature" of the complaints meant the issues were handled by "a limited group of people" at St Andrews House.

Mr Salmond has since been charged with separate criminal allegations, including attempted rape. He denies all claims of wrongdoing.

The Holyrood committee has agreed to suspend its deliberations until the criminal case is disposed of, but is concerned about the prospect of vital information being deleted by the Government.