First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was asked about apparent 'smears' from Alex Salmond's team at the Mary Queen of Scots premiere last night.
A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon hit out at suggestions she was aware the Scottish Government was investigating claims against the former First Minister before a meeting with him.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon accuses Team Salmond of 'smear' campaign
The SNP leader has previously told MSPs she only became aware of the misconduct allegations when Mr Salmond told her about the probe when they met on April 2 2018.
On Sunday, the First Minister confirmed she had referred herself to the panel of independent advisers to consider whether her actions breached the ministerial code of conduct.
When asked about the smear campaign at the film premiere at Edinburgh Castle, Nicola Sturgeon said: "There's an inquiry that I referred myself to. Obviously, there is an ongoing police inquiry into these issues as well and I think for that reason it is appropriate not to engage in anymore comment to allow these processes to take their course."
A statement issued by her official spokesman said: “This appears to be an attempt to smear the First Minister.
"Suggestions by Mr Salmond’s ‘insiders’ that the First Minister knew about the investigation before April 2 are not true.
“The suggestion put to Ms Sturgeon’s Chief of Staff by the Times, that she knew of complaints when she met someone who could be described as an intermediary for Alex Salmond on 6th March, is also not true.
“Given that issues around the First Minister's meetings with Mr Salmond have been referred to the Independent Advisers to consider, we will not comment further."
“At the heart of this matter remains the fact that complaints were made that could not be swept under the carpet – and the First Minister and Scottish Government will not say or do anything which might risk prejudicing the police investigation.”
In response, Mr Salmond's spokesman said: "We will not be commenting on the content of private meetings or discussions on or off the record but Alex has made it clear that, if asked, he will be happy to give evidence to the panel of independent advisers. This then is our first and only comment on this issue of the Ministerial code.
"In the interests of accuracy, it is the case that the First Minister’s senior special adviser knew of the existence of complaints against Alex sometime before the meeting of April 2 and that she initiated the first contact through an intermediary.
"They then arranged the meeting which Alex asked for. Alex has no certainty as to the state of knowledge of the First Minister before then.
"In any case, we regard this controversy about these meetings as of secondary importance.
"The substantive issue right now is not the possibility that Nicola Sturgeon may have broken the Ministerial code but the fact that despite repeated warnings the Scottish Government behaved in a manner which was “unlawful”, “unfair’ and “tainted by apparent bias” and further that their decisions have been struck down by the Court of Session at a cost to the Scottish people of over £500,000.
"The responsibility for that institutional fiasco lies at the door of the Permanent Secretary not that of the First Minister. It is high time that the Permanent Secretary accepted it”
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