Alex Salmond has said he could publish secret WhatsApp messages which he claims show senior SNP figures, including Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell, colluded with witnesses and 'constructed evidence' against him. The former first minister made the statement during a six-hour evidence session before the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints at Holyrood.
Salmond said the messages, revealed to him during his criminal trial where he was acquitted of all charges, showed behaviour involving pressuring police and witnesses. He described the day he read them as one of the most 'extraordinary' and 'distressing' of his life. He had previously been threatened with prosecution if he published them, but a new legal order issued to the Crown Office by the committee now allows access.
During the session, Salmond also alleged that the identity of a woman who accused him of sexual assault was passed by the Scottish government to his former chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein, who then told Salmond. This contradicts Sturgeon's denial during First Minister's questions last week. Salmond claimed three witnesses would back his allegation.
Salmond repeatedly said, under oath, that Sturgeon broke the ministerial code, but stopped short of calling for her resignation. The claim was rejected by SNP leader in the House of Commons, Ian Blackford, who said the first minister had 'made it clear' she did not breach the code.
The parliamentary inquiry is examining how the Scottish government handled harassment complaints against Salmond, who was acquitted of all 13 charges including attempted rape in March 2020. He has claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy by senior SNP figures to end his role in public life.
