Nicola Sturgeon has insisted that allegations of sexual harassment against Alex Salmond could not be ignored or swept under the carpet, as it emerged that her predecessor had hoped to stop the revelations being made public.
She said she had been aware for some time of the investigation into Mr Salmond but had no role in the process.
She also said that her relationship with the former first minister, who was her mentor for a decade before she succeeded him in 2014, made the situation “extremely difficult” for her to come to terms with.
Two individuals have made allegations of sexual assault against Mr Salmond, which he denies, with one incident said to have taken place in Bute House, the first minister’s official resident in Edinburgh, in December 2013. He resigned as first minister in September 2014 after losing the independence referendum.
She added: Although I have been aware for some time of the fact of the investigation initially from Alex Salmond I have had no role in the process, and to have referred to it before now would have compromised the integrity of the internal investigation, which I was not prepared to do.
However, I was informed by the Permanent Secretary earlier this week that she had completed her investigation and that she intended to make the fact of the complaints public.
Mr Salmond issued a lengthy statement on Thursday night denying the allegations and saying he planned to go to Scotland’s highest civil court to challenge the way the Scottish Government which he formerly led had dealt with the case.
Ms Sturgeon said the government refuted his criticisms of its procedures and would defend its position vigorously.
She added: However, this focus on process cannot deflect from the fact that complaints were made that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.
I have been clear on many occasions that all organisations and workplaces must make it possible for people to come forward to report concerns and have confidence that they will be treated seriously. For that principle to mean anything it cannot be applied selectively.
Mr Salmond lost his Westminster seat in last year’s general election but remains a hugely popular figure in the Yes movement, and the First Minister said she was acutely aware how upsetting the situation was for the SNP.
Leslie Evans, the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, and the principal policy adviser to Ms Sturgeon, also issued a detailed statement saying Mr Salmond was notified of the complaints in March.
She added that she told the former first minister and the complainants on Wednesday this week that she had decided to make the issue public.
According to the Daily Record, Mr Salmond was planning to seek an interdict on Friday intended to gag the Scottish Government.
He plans to continue with a separate civil case, at a later date, to challenge the way the case has been handled by the government.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said it would not comment on whether an inquiry is ongoing.