A Holyrood inquiry examining how the Scottish Government botched the handling of allegations made against Alex Salmond has called on a former top civil servant to clarify his evidence.
Sir Peter Housden appeared in person before a committee of MSPs last month.
The former permanent secretary said the former SNP leader could display “bullying and intimidatory” behaviour.
But he added he was unable to say whether he spoke to Nicola Sturgeon - at that point Deputy First Minister - about these matters.
Now committee chairwoman Linda Fabiani has written to Housden calling on him to answer the question regarding whether he has raised concerns with Sturgeon.
The former civil servant had initially claimed that "confidentiality" rules meant he could not answer.
But in a letter published today, Fabiani said: "Having taken time to analyse the confidentiality requirements that you cited at the time, the Committee considers that the question asked of you was sufficiently general to mean that, answering the question would not put you in breach of the confidentiality rules placed upon you."
She called on Housden to supply an answer by October 26.
The Holyrood committee is examining how the Scottish Government investigated complaints of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister.
Salmond pursued a judicial review and he was successful when it was agreed the internal probe had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.
The flawed investigation cost the public purse over £500,000 and a series of witnesses have given evidence to the committee.
Housden, who was the Permanent Secretary between 2010 and 2015, served both Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.
Appearing before MSPs last month, he was asked if he had been aware of concerns expressed about behaviour by Ministers and the former First Minister, he said:
“I knew that the former First Minister could display bullying and intimidatory behaviour, yes.”
He added: “I am not sure exactly how you would define harassment, but bullying and intimidatory behaviour, I knew he could display those behaviours.”
On whether he spoke to Sturgeon about these issues, he said: “I am not able to go into specifics in terms of individuals.”
