Line of Duty’s Martin Compston labels Scottish Conservatives leader ‘utter disgrace’ after call for Sturgeon resignation

‘No interest in answers, only bringing down a political opponent,’ wrote Compston

Line of Duty star Martin Compston has called Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Conservative party, an “utter disgrace” after he stated that Nicola Sturgeon “must resign”.

Sturgeon has faced calls to resign after the publication of previously secret legal advice relating to an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Alex Salmond.

The documents relate to Salmond’s successful legal challenge of the government’s harassment complaint procedure.

Salmond has previously alleged that Sturgeon made a “malicious and concerted” attempt to rid him of a political future through the government’s investigation into sexual harassment claims made against him.

The former SNP leader, who was acquitted of 13 charges in criminal court, won a judicial review that found the government’s investigation was “tainted by apparent bias”.

In light of the newly published documents, it appears that the Scottish government persevered in a legal fight against Salmond despite being told by its own lawyers that it would likely lose. Therefore, the government ended up paying Salmond’s legal fees of more than £500,000, as well as its own cost.

Sturgeon has been accused of breaching the ministerial code for not abandoning the challenge. She has denied all claims.

Ross shared a lengthy statement via the party’s official Twitter account stating that they will be submitting a Vote of No Confidence in Sturgeon.

RELATED: Scottish Tories call on Nicola Sturgeon to resign after legal advice over Salmond probe published

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It reads: “Credible witnesses have now backed up Alex Salmond’s claims and the legal advice shows the Government knew months in advance that the judicial review was doomed, but they still went on to waste more than £500,000 of taxpayers’ money.

“There is no longer any doubt that Nicola Sturgeon lied to the Scottish Parliament and broke the ministerial code on numerous counts. The weight of evidence is overwhelming. Nicola Sturgeon must resign. We will be submitting a vote of no confidence in the First Minister.”

Compston – who stars as Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott in BBC’s hit police procedural drama – retweeted the post, adding: “You’re an utter disgrace. Now you’re calling for someone’s resignation before they’ve even given evidence, no interest in answers only bringing down a political opponent.”

The actor will next be seen in the highly anticipated sixth season of Line of Duty, which has been confirmed to air on 21 March.