The latest escalation in the SNP’s civil war only greatens the need for a Holyrood inquiry into the handling of the Alex Salmond harassment complaints, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
Both sides in the Salmond-Sturgeon conflict hit out today amid accusations of smear campaigns and inaccurate statements.
It culminated with the former First Minister’s camp claiming Nicola Sturgeon’s closest member of staff knew about the sexual harassment allegations before a meeting took place between the SNP’s two most prominent figures.
That appears to directly contradict the version of events from Ms Sturgeon’s side in relation to what she and her top special adviser knew about the complaints.
And while the current First Minister has referred herself through the ministerial code, the Scottish Conservatives said the process needs to go further.
Tomorrow morning, MSPs will discuss the need for a formal Scottish Parliament probe, with all opposition parties seemingly in broad agreement on a way forward.
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said:
“This intervention puts Scotland’s current SNP First Minister, and Scotland’s previous SNP First Minister, at loggerheads.
“Nicola Sturgeon may think she’s dealt with this by referring herself under the ministerial code.
“However, only a full Holyrood inquiry will get to the bottom of this unedifying conflict, one which is now approaching a full-blown scandal.
“It’s nothing short of remarkable to see Nicola Sturgeon and her mentor embark on this type of public warfare.
“The public deserve to know what Ms Sturgeon did and didn’t know about this, and what her most trusted staff member did and didn’t know.
“Only then can they assess the degree to which she got involved in a case she’s prohibited from meddling in.
“And worst of all, the two brave women at the heart of this campaign have to look on as their case is sidelined in the name of SNP civil war.”
