Nicola Sturgeon: Salmond allegations ‘difficult for me to come to terms with’

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she has found the investigation of allegations of sexual harassment against her predecessor Alex Salmond “difficult to come to terms with”.

In a statement, the current First Minister confirmed two people made complaints about Salmond in January and that she has known about it “for some time”.

She added she has not had a role in the process.

The allegations date back to December 2013 at the first minister’s official residence Bute House.

They have been dealt with using a complaints procedure introduced by Sturgeon in December 2017 in the wake of the #metoo movement surrounding allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

This procedure, published publically for the first time yesterday, means a senior civil servant is appointed as an investigating officer to deal with the complaint.

Salmond, who led the SNP twice and was first minister from 2007-2014, mentored Sturgeon politically throughout her career.

Sturgeon said: “Although I have been aware for some time of the fact of the investigation – initially from Alex Salmond – I have had no role in the process, and to have referred to it before now would have compromised the integrity of the internal investigation, which I was not prepared to do. However, I was informed by the Permanent Secretary earlier this week that she had completed her investigation and that she intended to make the fact of the complaints public.

“Alex Salmond is now challenging the Scottish Government’s procedure in court. The Scottish Government refutes his criticisms of its process and will defend its position vigorously.

“However, this focus on process cannot deflect from the fact that complaints were made that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.

“I have been clear on many occasions that all organisations and workplaces must make it possible for people to come forward to report concerns and have confidence that they will be treated seriously.  For that principle to mean anything it cannot be applied selectively. It must be applied without fear or favour, regardless of the identity, seniority or political allegiance of the person involved.

“My relationship with Alex Salmond obviously makes this an extremely difficult situation for me to come to terms with. I am also acutely aware how upsetting this will be for my party.  However the over-riding priority must be to ensure fair and due process. I would also ask that the privacy of those who have complained be respected.”