MSPs vote against publishing Alex Salmond submission

The Scottish Parliament committee investigating the government’s mishandling of harassment complaints against the former first minister is split over the decision not to publish a written submission from Alex Salmond.

As a result, it is now unlikely the committee will take oral evidence from Salmond.

In a letter to him following today’s meeting, convener Linda Fabiani said the committee was “not in a position to meet the conditions” set by him to give evidence.

The former first minister had been due to appear before the committee this morning.

His lawyer said clarification was needed on what could be discussed in public, including Salmond’s submission to the James Hamilton inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon broke the minister code.

The committee narrowly voted against publishing the Hamilton inquiry submission.

Jackie Baillie, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Murdo Fraser and Margaret Mitchell were outvoted by Alasdair Allan, Tom Arthur, Linda Fabiani, Maureen Watt and Andy Wightman.

Speaking after the meeting, Jackie Baillie said this refusal was a “blow to the credibility of the committee”.

She said: “The evidence in question is already largely in the public domain and by refusing to publish it, even with appropriate redactions, the committee has denied itself the chance to question the former first minister.

“I do not believe that the public interest has been well served by this decision and the ability of the parliament to hold the Scottish Government to account is called into question.”

In the letter to Salmond, Fabiani said the committee must finish gathering evidence “without further delay” and would draw on written evidence received from him for its report.

She wrote: “The committee must fulfil the task parliament has set it including publishing its findings and making recommendations to the Scottish Government.

“On that basis we must complete evidence taking without further delay and the committee has already had a series of letters with you exploring possible dates and formats for evidence taking.

“The committee is grateful for all the other written evidence that you have submitted which we have been able to publish. We will draw on this evidence to question the First Minister and to reach conclusions in our report.”

Sturgeon is expected to appear before the committee next week.