Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has responded to criticisms over his Salmond Inquiry evidence by repeating he does not use the WhatsApp messaging system.
Peter Murrell, who is the SNP chief executive, told MSPs yesterday he is "not on" WhatsApp, but it was later revealed an account is linked to his mobile number.
In a follow up statement to the Holyrood committee, he wrote: “There are several messaging apps on my phone that I don’t use. This includes profiles on Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn, Instagram, Slack, Skype, and WhatsApp, none of which I use.”
A special Holyrood committee is examining how the SNP Government bungled the handling of sexual misconduct complaints against the former First Minister.
Salmond pursued a judicial review and it was accepted the internal Government probe had been unlawful.
The fiasco cost the taxpayer over £500,000 and ended the friendship between Nicola Sturgeon and Salmond, whose allies believe he was targeted by the Government and SNP figures.
Separately, Salmond was acquitted of sexual offences charges after a criminal trial this year.
Murrell, the long standing SNP CEO, appeared in front of the Inquiry yesterday.
In one part of the session, Murrell was asked if he knew about a WhatsApp group started on the day the Government lost the judicial review.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “These were WhatsApp messages. And I’m asking you, did you ever know about government special advisers ‘convening a council of war’?”
Murrell replied: “I can only tell you I know nothing about a WhatsApp group. I’m not on WhatsApp. So, it’s not a social media platform I use.”
It later emerged there is a WhatsApp account linked to Murrell’s mobile number.
The confusion led to members of the Inquiry calling on the chief executive to be recalled as a witness.
In a letter to the Committee, he wrote: “I've noticed some commentary this morning about what I said yesterday in response to questions about WhatsApp groups. I do not use WhatsApp.”
He added: “I use my phone to make calls and to send emails and texts. Twitter is the only social media platform I’m active on.”
However, his statement did not rule out Murrell using WhatsApp in the past.
