Holyrood’s decision to set up a committee to investigate the Scottish Government’s botched Alex Salmond probe was to be applauded.
The government’s mishandling of sexual misconduct complaints cost the public purse more than £500,000.
The women who made the allegations were badly let down and it was to be hoped MSPs would uncover the truth.
In reality, the Holyrood Inquiry has prolonged the agony for the women.
One of the biggest road blocks has been within the government itself.
Civil servants have had to correct their evidence and documents requested by the committee have not been handed over.
The inquiry also shot itself in the foot with some questionable decisions.
Its remit was to look at the handling of complaints by the government but it has strayed into the territory of Salmond’s criminal trial.
The almost certain non-appearance of Salmond – perhaps the key figure in the inquiry – is the biggest issue of all.
He sent a submission to the Committee which accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of misleading parliament.
Although the contents of the submission have been widely reported by the media, a majority of committee members voted against publishing the document.
There are undoubtedly legal obstacles but it is hugely frustrating a redacted version cannot be released.
The end result is Salmond is now highly unlikely to give evidence to MSPs.
The inquiry was supposed to be exercise in accountability – but it looks like it will collapse into farce.
