Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has been criticised after refusing an invitation to give further evidence to the :Alex Salmond Inquiry today.
Peter Murrell, who is also SNP chief executive, was recalled after MSPs hit out at some of the answers he gave to the Holyrood committee.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Mr Murrell is showing complete contempt towards the Committee and must make himself available for questioning as a matter of urgency.”
A special Holyrood committee is examining how the SNP Government mishandled sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond.
The former SNP leader pursued legal action and it was accepted the internal Government probe had been unlawful.
The fiasco cost the taxpayer over £500,000 and destroyed the long-standing friendship between Nicola Sturgeon and Salmond, whose allies believe he was the victim of a plot.
Although the inquiry is focused on the Government, senior figures like Murrell have been drawn into the probe.
A key issue is examining the contacts between Salmond and Sturgeon during the Government investigation.
The pair met at Sturgeon’s home in 2018 and also spoke on the phone. Murrell was asked about the meetings at his first oral evidence session.§
Murrell was also asked about a WhatsApp group apparently convened after Salmond won the judicial review, and whether he has used the platform.
He also denied being part of a plot to bring down Salmond.
Murrell’s answers did not satisfy some members of the Committee and, after he provided clarification in writing, the CEO was invited to appear again.
His rejection provides a headache for the Committee as MSPs are running into timetabling issues.
Salmond is expected to give oral evidence next week, followed by Sturgeon the week after.
Fraser said: “Peter Murrell’s refusal to reappear before the committee will only raise more suspicions about what he doesn’t want to answer about this case.
“The First Minister promised that the SNP Government would be open and transparent with this inquiry but now the Chief Executive of the SNP can’t even bring himself to be questioned again.
“His previous appearance was littered with contradictory statements which is why he should have been willing to clarify his evidence.”
The SNP has been contacted.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3Mvbmljb2xhLXN0dXJnZW9ucy1odXNiYW5kLXJlamVjdHMtYWxleC0yMzQyNjM2MNIBXmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3Mvbmljb2xhLXN0dXJnZW9ucy1odXNiYW5kLXJlamVjdHMtYWxleC0yMzQyNjM2MC5hbXA?oc=5
2021-02-02 08:55:00Z
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