The Holyrood probe into the handling of complaints about Alex Salmond has taken steps to compel the Crown Office to hand over key documents. MSPs on the inquiry committee have invoked special powers which can force the release of correspondence. It comes as Mr Salmond was told that if he wants to give spoken evidence it must be during the first week of February. He previously refused to attend Holyrood to be questioned on February 2, citing concerns on travel during lockdown. The notice to the Crown Office says it ‘may hold documents relevant and necessary for the committee to fulfil its remit’. The committee wants WhatsApp messages between a senior SNP official, Susan Ruddick, and Scottish ministers, special advisers or civil servants sent between August 2018 and January 2019 that may be relevant to the inquiry to be released.
Jan 2021. Alex Salmond and the Inquiry
