COPS PROBE SALMOND INQUIRY CIVIL SERVANT

Claims a top government official 'gave false statement under oath' investigated | Lawyer makes revelation as former FM sues ministers for compensation

- JAMES MULHOLLAND

POLICE are probing claims a senior civil servant "gave a false statement under oath" to an inquiry set up to investigate sexual misconduct allegations involving Alex Salmond, a court heard.

Lawyer Gordon Dangerfield told a Court of Session hearing on Friday that detectives are probing the alleged conduct of James Hynd.

Dangerfield is representing the former first minister in an action he brought against the Scottish Government.

Salmond is seeking "significant damages" and compensation for loss of earnings that could total millions of pounds from ministers.

He alleges "malfeasance" by various former and current Scottish Government civil servants. His legal team argue they "conducted themselves improperly, in bad faith and beyond their powers, with the intention of injuring Mr Salmond".

They say it happened during a botched probe carried out by civil servants over claims the ex SNP leader acted inappropriately towards a number of women during his time in office.

On Friday, Dangerfield told Lord Fairley the Police Scotland investigation is called Operation Broadcroft.

The solicitor advocate, who once represented former SSP leader Tommy Sheridan, said it is looking at the alleged behaviour of Hynd.

Hynd was described in August 2020 as being the Scottish Government's head of Cabinet, Parliament and Governance. Dangerfield said: "The ongoing Police Scotland investigation is named Operation Broadcroft, led by Detective Superintendent Graham Lannigan.

"It arises from a criminal complaint by the pursuer.