NICOLA Sturgeon has promised not to delete personal emails, texts or mobile phone data at the request of MSPs investigating the Scottish Government’s botched sexual misconduct probe into Alex Salmond.
A special Holyrood committee is examining why the probe collapsed in January, and why Mrs Sturgeon met Mr Salmond while her officials were investigating him last year.
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The former First Minister, who was accused by two female civil servants relating to his time in office in 2013, challenged the process in court.
He forced ministers to disclose previously secret files which showed the lead investigating officer had been in prior contact with both his accusers.
That rendered the process unfair, unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias”, and left taxpayers with a £500,000 legal bill.
The Committee wrote to Ms Sturgeon this month asking her to preserve any records related to its work, including texts and phone records.
The MSPs also told her that the SNP, which is administered by her husband, must not destroy any relevant records.
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Ms Sturgeon replied yesterday: “I can confirm that I will comply with the Committee’s requests and... I intend to fully cooperate with the Committee and its inquiry.”
The committee inquiry is entirely separate from criminal proceedings against Mr Salmond.
The former first minister denies any criminality.
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