Sturgeon Inquiry Documents 'Speak for Themselves' Says Swinney as Papers Reveal Tensions
First Minister John Swinney has stated that the recently released James Hamilton KC investigation documents "speak for themselves," following their publication by the Scottish Government. The 18 bundles of papers, linked to an inquiry into whether former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code, contain explosive revelations about her relationship with predecessor Alex Salmond.
Sturgeon's Allegations Against Salmond
In a transcript of her interview with Mr Hamilton, Ms Sturgeon expressed a "lingering concern" about Mr Salmond's behaviour dating back to November 2017. She recounted a conversation where Salmond warned her about stories potentially opening "flood gates," which left her questioning whether something might emerge about his conduct.
Ms Sturgeon told the investigator: "He was admitting to me something that was in my view deeply inappropriate and a gross abuse of his power as first minister." She went further, stating: "Mr Salmond is, and it's a matter of great personal grief to me, he's on a bit of a revenge mission right now."
Swinney's Response and Document Release
Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Swinney emphasized that the documents relate to past issues and have been published comprehensively while respecting court orders. "The documents speak for themselves," he reiterated, highlighting the Scottish Government's compliance with legal requirements.
The release comes after Information Commissioner David Hamilton took legal action against the Scottish Government in January for missing a deadline to publish the papers under freedom of information laws. A Scottish Government spokesperson explained that extensive work was required to review the documents and ensure maximum information could be made public without breaching court orders protecting the identities of complainants in a separate sexual assault case involving Mr Salmond.
Salmond's Criticism of Investigation Remit
The papers also reveal that Mr Salmond, who died in October 2024, complained to Mr Hamilton about the investigation's remit, which was established by then Deputy First Minister John Swinney. In an email, Salmond argued that the focus on whether Ms Sturgeon "interfered in the Scottish Government investigation" placed "a surprising stress" on that aspect.
He suggested: "It might even be suspected that this remit has been set up as a straw man to knock down." Salmond contended that ministers are sometimes required to intervene in civil service processes, challenging the premise of the investigation.
Background and Context
In 2021, Mr Hamilton cleared Ms Sturgeon of breaching the ministerial code regarding her involvement in the Scottish Government's botched investigation into harassment allegations against Mr Salmond. The newly released documents provide deeper insight into the tensions between the two former SNP leaders, revealing Sturgeon's personal distress over what she perceived as Salmond's retaliatory actions.
The Scottish Government's careful handling of the document release underscores the complex legal landscape, particularly regarding court orders from the separate case where Mr Salmond was cleared of sexually assaulting nine women. The spokesperson emphasized that protecting complainant identities remains paramount to avoid contempt of court.
