THE former first minister Alex Salmond is taking legal action against the Scottish Government over its investigation into sexual misconduct claims made against him in 2018.
It is believed the Alba Party leader has lodged a petition at the Court of Session accusing various past and present civil servants of “misfeasance” and is seeking damages of up to £3 million.
It comes after an investigation into allegations made by two women about Salmond’s behaviour was found to have been unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias” following a judicial review.
In 2019, Salmond took the Scottish Government to court over its mishandling of complaints against him and was awarded more than £500,000 in damages.
He was also cleared of 14 counts of sexual assault at a separate criminal trial in 2020.
A statement from Salmond is expected later on Friday.
Following the criminal trial Salmond gave evidence at a special Holyrood committee set up to probe the government's mishandling of the case.
During his appearance at the committee Salmond accused a group of people close to his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, of plotting against him.
He added that he believed Sturgeon - who was first minister at the time - broke the ministerial code by misleading parliament over conversations she had during the investigation.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on live litigation.”
