Alex Salmond denies sexual misconduct and is suing Scottish government for its handling of allegations
Former first minister says he will 'answer to the complaints both comprehensively and publicly'
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Alex Salmond is suing the Scottish government over its handling of historical allegations of sexual assault relating to his time as first minister.
The former Scottish National Party leader has refuted accusations over two incidents, which are alleged to have taken place in December 2013 at Edinburgh’s Bute House – the first minister’s official residence.
Allegations were reportedly passed on to the police by the Scottish government, the Daily Record newspaper, which originally broke the story, reported.
Police Scotland were unable comment when The Independent approached them for a statement.
However, both the force and the Scottish government have told the Record that they were unable comment on the matter.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Salmond accused the permanent secretary to the Scottish government of “behaving unlawfully” in applying official complaints procedures.
He claimed he had been unable to see documentation in order to challenge complaints, adding he refuted all allegations made against him, branding some of them “patently ridiculous”.
The former first minister said he would “answer to the complaints both comprehensively and publicly” if a judicial review found procedures used against him had been unlawful.
However, he warned the administration at senior levels of Scottish government “will have the most serious questions to answer” if the court eventually ruled in his favour.
Mr Salmond served as first minister of Scotland between 2007 and 2014, when he was replaced by Nicola Sturgeon following defeat in the referendum on Scottish independence.
He was elected as MP for Gordon from 2015 but was unseated by Conservative successor Colin Clark at last year’s general election.
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