Salmond inquiry appearance in doubt after evidence redacted

Former first minister Alex Salmond may not appear before a Holyrood inquiry on Wednesday after his written evidence was redacted.

Salmond’s evidence to an inquiry investigating a botched investigation into harassment allegations was originally published on Monday, but was removed on Tuesday morning before a redacted version was published a short time later.

His lawyers have now written to the committee asking to see the legal basis for the redaction, saying the decision could have “a material bearing on whether he is able to attend” the hearing on Wednesday.

Salmond accused his successor Nicola Sturgeon of breaking the ministerial code by misleading parliament, and described the Crown Office as “not fit for purpose” under its current leadership.

Following concerns raised by the Crown Office, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body decided to remove the evidence and redact it.

Salmond was expected to appear before the committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints on Wednesday after weeks of dispute over whether his evidence was legally safe to publish.

However, that appearance is now in doubt.

Salmond’s lawyer David McKie wrote: “We therefore require to see urgently the legal basis for the proposed redactions in order that we can properly advise our client and make further representations.

“These could have a material bearing on whether he is able to attend tomorrow.”

Sturgeon denies breaching the ministerial ethics code.