A Holyrood inquiry that was supposed to uncover the truth about a disastrous Scottish Government investigation has turned into a farce.
The creation of a standalone Holyrood committee was entirely justified.
The Government’s mishandling of sexual harassment complaints against Alex Salmond cost the taxpayer more than £500,000. Asking what went wrong and who was to blame were legitimate questions.
Two years on, the committee’s work is in danger of collapsing amid finger-pointing and recrimination.
Part of the blame rests with the Scottish Government, which has thwarted the committee by refusing to hand over key documents.
Legal advice is normally kept under lock and key, but these are unusual circumstances and the Government’s dogged refusal is unedifying.
The committee’s mission creep is another ingredient in this toxic mess.
Some MSPs see it as an opportunity to damage Nicola Sturgeon, so fuelling conspiracy theories about Salmond being the victim of a plot has an obvious political attraction.
However, treading on this ground has included requesting information that could relate to Salmond’s criminal trial – not part of the committee’s remit.
It led to a statement from some of the women affected – put out by Rape Crisis Scotland – condemning the inquiry.
Salmond seems likely to snub the committee over its refusal to publish a submission which has already been widely reported in the media. His absence would render the inquiry ridiculous.
More than three years have passed since the Government received complaints about Salmond, so now is a good time to take stock.
The Government probe and the Holyrood Inquiry were supposed to be a response to #MeToo but history will show they set back this important cause.
