Nicola Sturgeon news: Scottish leader says she feels ‘very let down’ by Salmond and he should say sorry

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Watch live as Nicola Sturgeon gives evidence to parliamentary inquiry

Nicola Sturgeon has said many people feel “very let down” by Alex Salmond, including herself, and has called on the former first minister to apologise for his behaviour.

Asked by Murdo Fraser MSP if she owed the Scottish people an apology for having previously told them they should trust Mr Salmond, Ms Sturgeon said she “trusted him” and refused to “apologise for the behaviour of somebody else”.

The first minister also rubbished Mr Salmond’s claim that a plot was hatched to remove him from public life, describing the suggestion as “absurd” to the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints.

Mr Salmond has previously alleged that Scotland’s first minister 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.

Mr Salmond, who was acquitted of 13 charges in criminal court, won a judicial review which found the government’s investigation was “tainted by apparent bias”.

However, Ms Sturgeon, whose political future is at stake, strongly denies the “plot” allegations, saying there is not “a shred of evidence” to support them.

• Scottish Tories call on Nicola Sturgeon to resign after legal advice over Salmond probe published
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• Nicola Sturgeon: The champion of Scottish independence fighting for her political future

Key Points

• Sturgeon says she feels ‘very let down’ by Salmond
• Salmond should apologise for behaviour, Sturgeon says
• ‘I have searched my soul,’ Sturgeon says as she gives evidence
• First minister apologises to women ‘failed’ by botched Salmond investigation
• Sturgeon says Salmond’s ‘plot’ claim is ‘absurd’
• Scottish Tories call on Sturgeon to resign
• First minister likely to be ‘exonerated’ by inquiry, says Blackford

[3 March 2021 18:29 · Zoe Tidman]

Scottish Tories accuse Sturgeon of ‘dodging’ difficult questions

The Scottish Conservative party has claimed Nicola Sturgeon “dodged and evaded almost every difficult question” today:

[3 March 2021 18:45 · Zoe Tidman]

‘This is about women remember?'

The justice minister has clashed with Murdo Fraser - who asked Sturgeon if she owed the Scottish people an apology for having previously told them they should trust Alex Salmond - on social media following the session.

“The insinuation that a women must apologise for the inappropriate behaviour that a man has admitted to is depressing,” Humza Yousaf tweeted.

Here was Mr Fraser’s response:

Mr Yousaf replied:

[3 March 2021 18:55 · Zoe Tidman]

A spokesperson for the first minister has said Nicola Sturgeon “dismantled all of the claims which have been made against her” today.

“In fully eight hours of evidence, the opposition completely failed to substantiate any of the allegations and absurd conspiracy theories which have been levelled at her and her office in this case,” she said.

“The first minister gave a clear, open and transparent account to the committee and directly addressed all of the issues raised. She was happy to take all of their questions and gave evidence for as long as the committee members wanted.”

PA

[3 March 2021 19:38 · Zoe Tidman]

Here is the full story on Nicola Sturgeon’s comments today here:

[3 March 2021 19:38 · Zoe Tidman]

That’s all from us today. Thanks for following.

[3 March 2021 19:38 · Zoe Tidman]