Scotland’s most senior Public Servant, Leslie Evans (pictured) is to be recalled to give evidence to a parliamentary committee investigating how the Government mishandled sexual harassment complaints against former First Minister, Alex Salmond.
Ms Evans’ previous testimony has prompted a series of questions.
In a letter to the committee, Mr Salmond criticised her conduct during the original inquiry and questioned a series of decisions taken by her before the inquiry was eventually ruled illegal in court, with Mr Salmond being awarded more than £500,000 ($A883,000) in costs.
Mr Salmond’s criticism emerged as his accusation that his successor as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, had misled the Parliament and broken the Ministers’ Code was published.
He said Ms Sturgeon’s claimed to have forgotten the meeting when told the claims against him was “untenable”.
The letter also highlighted Ms Evans’ decision to ask police to investigate complaints of sexual harassment against him after she “apparently ignored” the wishes of the alleged victims and rejected his offers of mediation without consulting the women.
He said the Government’s Director of People, Nicola Richards “specifically highlighted the view of the complainers against criminal proceedings, and this was apparently ignored by the Permanent Secretary”.
Ms Evans told the committee in September she was “not completely aware” of who informed the police.
Mr Salmond said documents that showed “it was made on her instruction by Ms Richards via the unusual route of the Deputy Crown Agent”.
Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and a committee member, Jackie Baillie said it looked as if on at least two occasions Ms Evans failed to consult or simply ignored the complainers’ wishes.
“Perhaps the more serious charge is that she lacked impartiality in the process,” Ms Baillie said.
“These are issues the committee will want to explore,” she said.
Edinburgh, 12 January 2021
