Scotland’s top law officer has said he was not consulted on a warning by the Crown Office about Alex Salmond’s submission to the Holyrood Inquiry.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe said the decision was made by “senior professional prosecutors” who had acted independently.
A Holyrood committee is examining the SNP Government’s unlawful investigation into sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond when he was First Minister.
Separately, Salmond was acquitted of sexual offences charges after a trial last year.
The parliament’s governing corporate body recently decided to publish a Salmond submission to the Inquiry even though there were concerns it could breach a court order from the criminal trial.
In the document, Salmond accused Sturgeon of misleading parliament and breaching the ministerial code of conduct.
He separately accused senior SNP figures, including Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, of supporting a “malicious and concerted” attempt to damage his reputation.
Parliament pulled down one of the submissions from its website and republished a redacted version after a warning by the Crown Office.
The decision led to criticism of the Crown and claims the body was trying to protect Sturgeon.
Wolffe, who is head of the prosecution service and the Government’s top legal adviser, was asked at Parliament whether he was consulted on the Crown Office letter.
He replied: "No, I was not. The decisions in relation to this matter were made by senior professional prosecutors, acting independently, as they always do, and without reference to the Law Officers."
He added: "I received a copy of the letter for my information after it had been issued."
