Salmond's £3m'day of reckoning'

Sex claims probe and trial labelled 'tawdry business'

- ANDREW QUINN

ALEX Salmond has vowed a "day of reckoning" as he launched a £3million legal action against Scottish Government.

The former first minister has described the handling of harassment complaints against him as a "tawdry business".

At the Court of Session yesterday, it was confirmed the case, Alex Salmond v Scottish ministers, had been called.

A statement from Salmond's lawyer confirmed his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, and former permanent secretary, Leslie Evans, are named among those facing allegations of "misfeasance".

After the case was called, First Minister Humza Yousaf said the Scottish Government will "robustly" defend itself.

In a statement, Salmond said throughout the "tawdry business", which has included a judicial review, a criminal trial and a Holyrood inquiry, he has "done my talking in court or in front of Parliament", and will continue to do so.

The 68-year-old - who was first minister between 2007 and 2014 - was investigated by the Scottish Government after two complaints from staff were made under a new complaints procedure which included former ministers.

The investigation was deemed by a judicial review to have been "tainted with apparent bias" after the Scottish Government conceded defeat and Salmond was awarded £512,000 as a result.