SNP leadership urged to 'come clean' over what it knew about Alex Salmond allegations

Nicola Sturgeon and SNP officials have been urged to come clean and reveal “what they knew and when” about allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Alex Salmond.

The call for transparency followed claims that Angus Robertson, the party’s former leader at Westminster, was contacted about concerns over Mr Salmond’s conduct towards female staff at Edinburgh Airport a decade ago.

Police investigating two sexual misconduct claims against the former first minister, which were made by female civil servants this year and date from 2013, spoke to staff at the airport last week after fresh information emerged.

The Daily Record reported on Monday that police had widened their probe although it is understood that no formal complaint was made at the time.

However, according to Sky News, airport officials contacted Mr Robertson, leader of the SNP group in the House of Commons, about the alleged incidents.

They are said to date from 2008 when Mr Salmond used the airport on a regular basis in his role as first minister.

The latest development prompted calls from Labour and the Scottish Conservatives for the SNP leadership to reveal exactly what it knew, and disclose what action was taken at the time.

Mr Robertson, like Mr Salmond, lost his Westminster seat at last year’s general election, but continued as deputy leader of the party until February.

Sky said that when asked what he did after being “told about Alex Salmond's behaviour at Edinburgh Airport”, he replied: "There are ongoing processes and... I'm not making any more comment.” The broadcaster also said it asked the SNP to comment a year ago but it did not respond.

Mr Salmond denies all the allegations and has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. He has launched a civil action against the Scottish Government over the procedures it followed while investigating the complaints made earlier this year.

Pauline McNeill, Labour’s equalities spokesman, said the latest development was “shocking”. She added: “We already know that Nicola Sturgeon continued to meet Alex Salmond while he was being investigated by the Scottish Government over sexual harassment allegations.

“Now it seems former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson was explicitly told about these concerns by officials at Edinburgh Airport. 

“The SNP must urgently explain whether Mr Robertson, one of the most senior SNP politicians, passed these concerns on to party officials and what – if any – action was taken by the SNP in light of those concerns to protect women from sexual harassment. 

“The SNP has been far from transparent over its handling of these allegations against Alex Salmond, and party officials and Nicola Sturgeon must urgently come clean on who knew what and when.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said that since the initial allegations emerged in August, the SNP leadership had “claimed to be blissfully unaware of any suggestions of wrongdoing”.

He added: “But the longer this goes on, the less convincing that explanation becomes. We need to see proper transparency from the SNP about who knew what, and what action was taken at the time.”

The SNP said it would not comment on matters relating to Mr Salmond while police inquiries were continuing.

A spokesman for the former first minister said: "Mr Salmond denies all suggestions of misconduct at any time and suggests that everyone should allow police enquires to take their proper course without briefing or breaching their confidentiality.

"Alex has not been interviewed by the police about any matter. He is content to have his case against the Scottish Government stated in the Court of Session in January.”

Mr Salmond’s civil case is due to be heard over four days in January.