THE Holyrood inquiry into the botched misconduct sexual probe against Alex Salmond has warned ministers and officials not to destroy any evidence.
At its first meeting, the cross-party group of nine MSPs said it expected all “relevant documentation retained” by the Scottish Government to help with its work.
It also said it expected “full cooperation” from SNP ministers and their officials, and would be putting its request in writing in the coming days.
One MSP called the “no shredding” directive a key decision by the group.
The Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment has been set up to examine the recent collapse of the Government’s misconduct probe into Mr Salmond.
The former First Minister successfully challenged the process, forcing ministers to admit the lead investigating official had been in prior contact with his two accusers.
That rendered the process unfair, unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias”, and left taxpayers with a £500,000 legal bill after Mr Salmond won a judicial review at the Court of Session.
The MSPs' committee will examine the “actions of the First Minister, Scottish Government officials and special advisers” in relation to the misconduct probe.
It will also look at Nicola Sturgeon’s secret meetings and calls with Mr Salmond during last year's probe, which her critics say breached the ministerial code.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon refers herself to watchdog in Salmond probe
The committee agreed not to hold formal hearings to avoid prejudicing separate legal proceedings involving Mr Salmond.
The former SNP leader last month appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted rape, nine of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one breach of the peace.
He strongly denies any criminality.
However the inquiry will not suspend its work entirely.
Instead, its MSPs expect to work at a low ebb until legal proceedings are concluded, meeting periodically and reading up on the government’s misconduct processes.
The decision was announced after the inaugural 50-minute session, around half of which was in private.
SNP convener Linda Fabiani, who is also one of the parliament’s two deputy presiding officers, said: “The committee noted the sub judice requirement relevant to this inquiry, but agreed to have an initial meeting in approximately two weeks’ time to receive background briefings.
“The committee also agreed to write to the Scottish Government with its expectation of full cooperation regarding information passed to this committee, with relevant documentation retained by the Scottish Government for transmission to this committee when requested.”
There was dissent at the start of session over which party should hold the chair.
Labour, the LibDems and Tories said they were concerned that the SNP would exercise its right to hold the convenership, despite senior SNP figures being under the microscope.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said she had no qualms about Ms Fabiani’s personal integrity, however she objected to the party of government appointing the chair.
READ MORE: Row as SNP takes chair of Salmond-Sturgeon probe at Holyrood
She said: “It is clearly unprecedented that a committee of this parliament is handling complaints against a former First minister, the actions of the current First Minister, who were the leader and are the leader of the SNP.
“A we all know, the question of perception is all in politics. I think this committee needs to set off on the right foot, without fear or favour.”
LibDem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton added: “The optics of this are not great.”
Ms Fabiani said afterwards: “I have no doubts whatsoever about the integrity of everyone on
this committee, including the SNP members, because it’s a parliamentary committee and we all take our parliament very seriously.
“I’m absolutely sure every member of this committee, regardless of their political party, will act with integrity in looking at the processes of government.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon facing questions over Alex Salmond probe meetings
The SNP has four MSPs on the inquiry, the Tories two, and Labour, the LibDems and Greens one each.
The gender split is six women MSPs and three men.
Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell is deputy convener.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government will cooperate fully with the committee’s inquiry, including the provision of all relevant material – any suggestions to the contrary are wholly misplaced.
“We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the committee’s work, but the immediate priority is to respect the integrity of the criminal legal process which is currently underway.”
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