November 2017: 1315-1400: Lloyd, Somers, Hynd and a member of Evan’s office, attended a meeting to further discuss the content of Sturgeon’s” instruction and to establish and agree on clear lines of responsibility between Sturgeon and Evans.
A second purpose was to reword the second draft procedure, inserting changes designed to prevent Sturgeon from stopping Evans, who had a duty of care to civil servants, from investigating a sexual harassment complaint made by a civil servant against a minister if Evans judged there was something to investigate.
Additional input from Lloyd included the view that Sturgeon needed to be made aware of an investigation or allegation into a serving minister, before the event, to determine if, under the ministerial code, that minister could remain in post whilst an investigation was conducted.
Yet she later stipulated that on that date, she did not know of any of the allegations against Alex Salmond that were subsequently investigated under the new procedure.
24 November 2017: Lloyd’s input to the process was understated by Evans. They couldn’t fart without her permission!!!!
27 November 2017: Hynd to Richards. Have a looksee at the next draft procedure. All hands to the deck!!! Why so much urgency over one man??
29 November 2017: Russell wrote to Ms A, “as agreed, I sent your narrative on in confidence to Nicky (Richards) and Judith (Mackinnon). I have now been asked by Nicky and Judith if you would be prepared to speak to them following receipt of your narrative.
As part of this discussion, Nicky would like to share with you the developing policy for handling complaints against former and current ministers.
This would allow you to test whether this would have helped at the time and also to consider the next steps.
Later that day, Ms A agreed to do so but reiterated she wished to speak personally with Sturgeon.
29 November 2017: Richards met with Evans, who then went on to have a “summit meeting with Sturgeon, “to discuss the new harassment procedure against former ministers.”
Conclusion: Hynd inadvertently revealed that the new procedure was being put in place, targeting Alex Salmond, and those involved in its compilation were fully aware of it.
caltonjock 