The Scottish Parliament has been handed documents central to claims by Alex Salmond that he was the victim of an SNP plot.
The Crown Office, which released the information, urged Holyrood to consider carefully whether publication is appropriate.
A Holyrood committee is investigating the SNP Government’s botched handling of sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond when he was First Minister.
Salmond took the government to court and it was agreed the internal probe, which destroyed his friendship with Nicola Sturgeon, had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.
He was separately acquitted of sexual offences after a trial last year.
Salmond has accused named SNP figures, including Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell and Chief of Staff Liz Lloyd, of plotting against him to have him jailed.
The SNP and Sturgeon have denied the conspiracy claims.
Salmond further alleged that the Crown Office, headed by Lord Advocate, has been refusing to hand over proof of the plot.
In his written evidence to the Inquiry, he wrote: “The most obvious and compelling evidence of such conduct is contained within the material crown office refuses to release. That decision is frankly disgraceful."
The Inquiry then ordered the Crown Office to hand over communications involving Murrell and Lloyd, as well as SNP figures Sue Ruddick and Ian McCann, covering a fourteen month period from November 2017.
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A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: “It is vitally important that people who believe they have been the victim of crime, and those who can provide evidence as witnesses to crime, feel able to come forward to report that to the police in the confidence that they will be treated with respect, sensitivity and confidentiality by the police and COPFS.
"In order to protect that public confidence and trust, COPFS must process the information it holds carefully, thoughtfully and lawfully.
“Material has now been provided to the Committee and it has been respectfully asked to give careful consideration as to whether or not it is appropriate and in the public interest for it to be published.”
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3MvYWxleC1zYWxtb25kLWlucXVpcnktaGFuZGVkLW1lc3NhZ2VzLTIzNTkzMjM50gEA?oc=5
2021-03-02 15:34:03Z
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