MSPs examining the Scottish Government’s handling of sexual harassment claims against Alex Salmond have raised “serious concerns” that evidence may have disappeared.
The fears were outlined in a letter to Scotland’s most senior civil servant, Leslie Evans, written by the Holyrood Committee investigating the government’s bungled investigation into the allegations made against Mr Salmond.
The letter, signed by committee convener Linda Fabiani, said MSPs were concerned about the government’s ability to retrieve civil service records, emails and other documents.
It was prompted by the permanent secretary’s admission earlier this month that it was “not possible technically to tell what has been automatically deleted or to retrieve material which has already been deleted from the system”.
Ms Evans had said “automated systems” meant civil servants’ emails are deleted after 14 months.
In her letter, Ms Fabiani said: “It appears from this that not only could some information have been deleted, but that it is not possible to establish whether this is the case.
“Given the Committee’s role in scrutinising the Scottish Government’s actions, you will appreciate that this is of serious concern to committee members.”
The committee has also written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urging her to preserve relevant documents and information held by the SNP, party staff and any other employees outside government.
Ms Evans and Ms Sturgeon have said they will keep relevant information.
But Ms Fabiani requested a copy of the Scottish Government’s records management plan plus disposal schedules applying to Outlook and other electronic systems.
Ms Evans was asked what criteria determined what information was kept on the corporate record and whether this included “informal” material such as email exchanges.
And Ms Fabiani also asked what efforts had been made to establish whether any relevant information had been erased as a result of automatic deletion from Outlook.
She questioned what efforts had been made to retrieve deleted information and if there was potential for relevant information to fall outside the 14-month retention schedule.
The specially set-up committee is examining how the Scottish Government dealt with complaints made against Mr Salmond.
The Scottish Government’s investigation into the former first minister collapsed at the Court of Session in January.
Mr Salmond has since been charged with two counts of attempted rape and nine of sexual assault. He denies any criminality.
The Holyrood Committee is looking at why the Scottish Government investigation into Mr Salmond collapsed.
The committee will look at claims Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code by having discussions with Mr Salmond on five occasions while the investigation was on-going.
