The Government’s investigation of the allegations was found to be “tainted by apparent bias” after it emerged the investigating officer had prior contact with two of the women who made complaints against him in his criminal trial in 2020. Mr Salmond accuses the SNP, of which he used to be the leader, as well as other officials in Government of a “prolonged, malicious” conspiracy against him. Earlier this month, Mr Salmond said he would not appear after the committee opted not to publish his submission to a separate investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code. The committee decided not to publish over fears it could identify some of the individuals in Mr Salmond’s criminal trial.