Police Scotland has decided not to pursue any action against James Hynd, a senior civil servant, following an investigation into his testimony during the Alex Salmond inquiry. The inquiry, which scrutinised the handling of sexual harassment complaints against Salmond, concluded that the government’s investigation was significantly flawed.
Hynd, who was responsible for formulating the Scottish government’s policy on complaints involving ministers, was accused of providing a false statement under oath. This allegation was brought to light during a court case initiated by Salmond against the Scottish government, highlighting the contentious nature of the inquiry’s findings.
The police investigation, which began after a complaint was lodged regarding Hynd’s evidence, has now been closed without any further action. This decision may raise questions about accountability within government processes, particularly concerning how complaints against high-ranking officials are managed.
The closure of this investigation comes in the wake of Salmond’s passing and the subsequent financial difficulties faced by his estate, which complicates the ongoing discussions about the inquiry’s implications for Scottish governance and public trust in political institutions.
Source: BBC News
