As matters stand today, Nicola Sturgeon will never get out from under the scandals that are plaguing her. Most political leaders leave office carrying the baggage of scandal, but over time the stain fades.

With Sturgeon, though, the reverse seems to be happening. Indeed, the intervention by the Tory MP, David Davis, using parliamentary privilege against her, makes the stain on Sturgeon potentially indelible and lifelong.

This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter.

Davis made an astonishing speech in Parliament in which he claimed that Sturgeon tried to have Alex Salmond jailed in order to stop him exposing the crimes of her husband Peter Murrell. 

He also accused the former First Minister of lying about her knowledge of Murrell’s offences.

It should be noted that Davis was a close friend of Salmond and so his allegations must be weighed with that in mind. 

Sturgeon hit back, accusing Davis of “spreading conspiracy theories”. She has long said she’s innocent of any wrongdoing and was “deceived, misled and betrayed” by Murrell.

Davis was brutal in his speech: “My view on Sturgeon's denials is clear. She is lying. She knew full well what her husband was doing.”

He added: “Her most evil act was stitching up Alex Salmond to hide the truth.”

Davis has regularly invoked parliamentary privilege, an important pillar of British democracy which grants MPs legal immunity so they can raise matters of grave public interest. 

This........

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