SCOTLAND
Public Service unions are supporting the Scottish Government’s Permanent Secretary who is facing legal action from former First Minister Alex Salmond over her handling of allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Mr Salmond has applied to take Leslie Evans (pictured) to a judicial review over claims relating to the period when he was First Minister.
He denied the allegations made in the claims and accused Ms Evans of acting improperly by using a procedure that was not in place at the time the alleged misconduct occurred.
In a joint statement, the PCS, Prospect and FDA unions said: “Civil Service unions met with the Permanent Secretary and have confidence that the Scottish Government will continue to take seriously and handle sensitively all complaints of harassment.
“The unions are confident that the Scottish Government processes which we negotiated are valid and robust and if any member wishes to make a complaint then they will receive the full support of their trade union.”
A spokesperson for the Government said that it would defend itself “vigorously” against Mr Salmond’s complaint.
Ms Evans said that last November she agreed with current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon that in light of wider concerns about harassment in Westminster and the Scottish Parliament, an internal review would be carried out.
“Following the conclusion of an internal investigation I can confirm that the Scottish Government received two complaints in January in relation to Alex Salmond,” Ms Evans said.
“Mr Salmond was notified of the complaints in March and the details of the procedure under which the complaints would be addressed.”
She said Mr Salmond’s statement on the allegations “contains significant inaccuracies” that would be addressed in court proceedings.
Edinburgh, 1 September, 2018
