Symbol copyright Jeff J Mitchell Image caption Alex Salmond denies the claims made against him
Two people have made sexual harassment proceedings towards Scotland’s former first minister Alex Salmond. The lawsuits, which he denies, relate to his time in place of work. Why have they come to mild now?
Why are the allegations being made now?
Symbol copyright WPA Pool Image caption Everlasting Secretary Leslie Evans (second left) with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
In November, within the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #Metoo movement, there have been concerns over experiences that women in any respect ranges within the Scottish Parliament had skilled harassment.
At the similar time, MPs at Westminster were accused of intimidating or propositioning younger women inappropriately.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon known as for an inside evaluation to be carried out of the Scottish government’s strategies for dealing with court cases in the workplace.
As a part of that overview, a new process on dealing with harassment complaints regarding present or former ministers used to be presented.
Symbol copyright CHRIS J RATCLIFFE Symbol caption First Minister Nicola Sturgeon mentioned she had no position in the procedure
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was conscious in April that Mr Salmond was once being investigated.
In truth, it was once Mr Salmond himself that informed her.
She stated she had no previous knowledge of proceedings being made towards him.
Ms Sturgeon said she had taken “no role within the process” and never spoken approximately it publicly as a result of she didn’t need to compromise the inner investigation.
She mentioned the fact that lawsuits were made couldn’t be neglected or swept under the carpet.”
What occurs subsequent?
A Judicial Review will consider whether or not a correct “resolution-making process” used to be followed through the Scottish government.
It is not going to look at whether or not or no longer the “proper” resolution was made.
The court will seek to make sure that principles of herbal justice and fairness were adopted.
Before the review can also be heard Mr Salmond must attract the Court of Consultation for permission to proceed.
Permission will best be granted where the Judicial Review has “a real prospect of success”.
