The convener of the Holyrood Salmond inquiry has claimed her committee is being “hampered” by the non-disclosure of information.
MSP Linda Fabiani said the Scottish Government had not provided “enough” to the committee and added that they could have “more” from the former First Minister himself.
She said: “I would like more transparency here so that we can get to the bottom of this.”
A special Holyrood committee is investigating how the SNP Government handled complaints of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister.
Salmond pursued a judicial review and it was accepted the Government’s internal probe had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias. The debacle cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.
MSPs are examining various aspects of the botched probe, including the development of the government’s anti-harassment policy, the judicial review, and how the actual complaints were handled.
However, the inquiry is in crisis amid claims of Government secrecy over information not being handed over.
The Government is arguing that legal privilege prevents some information from being provided, but this stance has frustrated committee members.
Speaking to the BBC, Fabiani, who is the committee convener, said of the disputed information:
“We could receive submissions detailing what evidence there is. We’ve had some from the Scottish Government. We don’t feel it’s enough. We feel we could also have some more from Mr Salmond. Perhaps his view on how things went.”
Asked who has been obstructing the inquiry, she said: “We write to those who are in charge, and we would expect those who are in charge to make the judgement of who the evidence comes from.
“The Committee is now at a stage where we cannot proceed any further.”
The SNP MSP pointed out that the committee had been set up by the Parliament:
“I would hope that, [with] the committee having expressed its frustration, with the backing of the entire Parliament who put this committee in place, I would hope that our having said that now means that at high levels, right across the board, from those we are awaiting evidence, will have a rethink and decide to submit.
“Our national parliament sets up a committee, in good faith, and with promises, and we feel we are being hampered in carrying on this work.”
