Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond were once the closest of allies in the campaign for Scottish independence. But now Scotland’s current and former first ministers and Scottish National party leaders are pitted against each other in a battle for the truth that could have far-reaching implications for the unity of the UK.
In bombshell testimony made public last week, Mr Salmond accused his former protégé of misleading parliament about her government’s handling of complaints of harassment against him. Ms Sturgeon rejected the accusation. But if proved, the allegations would throw her political future in doubt ahead of elections to the parliament in Edinburgh in May that the SNP hopes will pave the way for a second referendum on Scottish independence.
On Tuesday, members of a Scottish parliamentary committee set up to look at how the first minister and the government handled the complaints against Mr Salmond will meet to discuss when to call both to give evidence.