Scotland’s former top civil servant has said he did not discuss any “bullying and intimidatory” behaviour by Alex Salmond with Nicola Sturgeon.
Sir Peter Housden also said he was not aware of any harassment concerns in relation to the former First Minister.
A Holyrood committee is examining how the SNP Government investigated complaints of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister.
Salmond pursued a judicial review and he was successful when it was agreed the internal probe had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.
The flawed investigation, which destroyed the long-standing friendship between Salmond and Sturgeon, cost the public purse over £600,000.
Housden, who was permanent secretary under Salmond and his successor, gave evidence in person before the committee last month.
He said the former SNP leader could display “bullying and intimidatory” behaviour, but added he was unable to say whether he had spoken to Sturgeon - at that point Deputy First Minister - about these matters.
Committee chairwoman Linda Fabiani wrote to Housden after the evidence session and called on him to answer the question regarding whether he has raised concerns with Sturgeon.
The former civil servant had initially claimed that "confidentiality" rules meant he could not answer.
His response, published by the Scottish Parliament, repeated the question he had been asked by Fabiani: “[W]hether you had raised harassment concerns that you were aware of in relation to the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, with the then Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon."
He continued: “I can confirm that I was not aware of any harassment concerns and so did not discuss any with Ms Sturgeon. While your letter refers only to “harassment concerns”, for the avoidance of doubt, I did not discuss any ‘bullying and intimidatory’ behaviour by Mr Salmond with Ms Sturgeon either.”
