Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has been urged to provide “full transparency” over WhatsApp messages where he appeared to back police action against Alex Salmond.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has “questions to answer” after the Record revealed claims that he called for pressure to be put on the police in the Salmond case.
We reported yesterday that SNP MP Kenny MacAskill received an anonymous document which claimed to include WhatsApp messages relating to the sex assault criminal case against Salmond.
MacAskill claims one message appears to show Murrell, who is the most powerful person in the SNP other than his wife, calling for pressure to be put on the police in relation to the Salmond case.
He claims another message in the document appears to show Murrell supporting action by prosecutors in January 2019 – around the time when Salmond first appeared in court on sex assault charges.
Salmond was later cleared on all charges.
The Record asked the SNP on Wednesday morning if Murrell had sent the messages but no response was provided.
Baillie, who sits on the Holyrood committee that is examining the Government’s bungled probe into Salmond, said: “While the committee is used to secrecy on the part of the SNP Government, it appears from these latest revelations, if true, that the SNP chief executive has questions to answer.
“We expect full transparency from Mr Murrell when he appears before the committee.”
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who also sits on the committee, said: “This is the latest astonishing revelation in relation to this case which will only raise further suspicions among the public.
“It is absolutely imperative that Nicola Sturgeon is open and transparent at every stage of this inquiry.
"We shouldn't have to be relying on MPs and journalists in order to get to the bottom of what went on in the case against the former first minister.”
Murrell was previously contacted by the committee about a range of issues, including when he became aware of the complaints made to the Government about Salmond.
He provided answers but MSPs have asked him for more information.
MSPs are investigating the Scottish Government’s bungled probe into sexual misconduct claims against Salmond when he was first minister.
The probe was later ruled to be unlawful and the fiasco cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.
Separately, Salmond was charged with sexual offences and was acquitted in full at a trial earlier this year.
Events over the last two years are said to have ended the friendship between Sturgeon and Salmond,
with the former first minister’s allies claiming he has been the victim of a conspiracy.
