Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Prime Minister denies allegations

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Nicola Sturgeon

Photo: Gordon Terris, The Herald / dpa

Did Nicola Sturgeon lie to Parliament in Edinburgh?

Because of her role in a scandal over allegations of abuse, the Scottish head of government is coming under increasing pressure.

Now she has rejected allegations in plenary that she wanted to politically ignore her predecessor and party colleague Alex Salmond.

“I think I have to refute the absurd suggestion that someone acted maliciously or planned against Alex Salmond.

This claim is based on no fact, "said the head of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Why is?

Several women had accused Salmond of attempted rape and sexual harassment.

The politician was acquitted last year and made serious allegations against the current Scottish government.

He accused Sturgeon, among other things, of having misled Parliament on the matter.

The 66-year-old has made it clear that he expects personnel consequences.

"The government was acting illegally, but somehow nobody should be to blame," he said last week.

If it turns out that Sturgeon actually lied to Parliament, she would probably have to resign.

Even before they testified in a committee of inquiry in the Scottish Parliament on Monday, the conservative opposition called for their resignation.

Sturgeon's resignation would set back the independence movement in Scotland.

The 50-year-old is considered extremely popular - in contrast to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It is expected that it will win a clear majority in the regional elections in May and then increase calls for a new independence referendum.

The British government rejects a second referendum.

A slim majority of the Scots voted against the detachment in 2014, after which Salmond resigned as head of government.

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as / dpa