Home Politics Ex-Scottish First Minister Salmond denies sexual harassment accusations

Alex Salmond will launch legal action against the Scottish government on Friday over the way it has handled accusations of sexual harassment against him by two staff members while he was first minister of Scotland.

Police have been informed of incidents alleged to have taken place in Bute House — the official grace-and-favor residence of the Scottish first minister — in December 2013, the Daily Record reported.

The former leader of the Scottish National Party on Thursday issued a public denial of the “patently ridiculous” allegations and explained in a lengthy statement on Twitter why he is now taking the Scottish government to court.

“I have tried everything, including offers of conciliation, mediation and legal arbitration, to resolve these matters both properly and amicably,” he said. “This would have been in everybody’s interests, particularly those of the two complainants. All of these efforts have been rejected. The permanent secretary [at the Scottish government] chose to deny me contact with any current civil servant, many of whom wished to give evidence on my behalf, and access to documentation to allow me to properly challenge the complaints, all of which I refute and some of which were patently ridiculous. The procedure as put into operation by the permanent secretary is grossly unfair.”

The Scottish government issued its own statement Thursday, saying: “The Scottish government will defend its position vigorously. As a matter of principle and integrity, it is vital that any allegations of harassment are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly, regardless of the identity of the party involved.”

Salmond will seek a judicial review of the way the Scottish government — which he ran until 2014 — is handling the complaints.

According to STV’s Holyrood Editor Colin Mackay, the former Scottish leader is “very angry” and will give a TV interview Friday afternoon once the court case has been heard.

Salmond may also give a full press conference Friday, the Times reported.


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