Police take no action against senior civil servant over Salmond inquiry evidence

Police Scotland say no further action is to be taken against a senior civil servant who was investigated over giving a false statement under oath to the Alex Salmond inquiry.

It emerged in August 2024 that detectives were probing evidence given to the Scottish Parliament inquiry in 2020 by James Hynd, who was the Scottish government's head of cabinet, parliament and governance at the time.

The inquiry was examining the handling of sexual harassment complaints made against the former first minister, who was later cleared of all of the charges against him in a separate criminal trial.

It concluded the government investigation into Salmond was "seriously flawed".

Salmond's lawyer had told the Court of Session in August 2024 that a Police Scotland investigation into Hynd was being headed by a senior detective.

He said that the investigation was looking into claims that a "very, very senior civil servant - Mr James Hynd - gave a false statement on oath at the inquiry".

Hynd was responsible for drawing up the government's policy on the handling of complaints involving former and current ministers - the policy under which Salmond was investigated.

The police inquiry into Hynd's conduct emerged during a court hearing in a civil case that Salmond had brought against the Scottish government.

The two-year long inquiry has now drawn to a close - with a Police Scotland spokesperson saying on Thursday: "Following a complaint in relation to evidence provided to a Scottish Parliament committee, an investigation was carried out and no further action is being taken."

Following Salmond's death in October 2024, Paul McManus, the drummer with Glasgow rock band Gun, took over funding the case in February this year.

It came after Salmond's estate was placed into sequestration - equivalent to bankruptcy - over costs linked to the court action.