EASTWOOD MSP Jackson Carlaw is today calling on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to answer "intensifying questions" over her involvement in the Alex Salmond probe.

The Tory politician said Ms Sturgeon must outline why she chose to meet the former First Minister just weeks before a case against him involving alleged sexual misconduct was made public.

Mr Carlaw, who is interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, claimed a "total lack of transparency" surrounding the five contacts Ms Sturgeon had with her predecessor only demonstrated why a Holyrood inquiry is necessary.

And he added the 'Saturday summit' between the two at Ms Sturgeon’s home in Glasgow was of particular suspicion.

Mr Carlaw said: "As we have seen this week, Nicola Sturgeon’s case simply doesn’t stack up.

"She claims she told Mr Salmond in April last year that she would not get involved in this matter.

“If that was the case, why did she carry on taking phone calls and having meetings with him to discuss the matter?

“In particular, the First Minister needs to come clean on her bizarre decision to hold a Saturday summit with Mr Salmond at her home in July.

“This took place only weeks before the investigation was completed.

“She can’t claim she was ambushed by Mr Salmond. They’d already spoken three times at this point, so why did she hold this meeting?

“What did Mr Salmond tell Ms Sturgeon about the investigation? What involvement did she, or any of her aides, have at this time?

“Why did the First Minister follow it up with a phone call four days later? Were discussions held about ways to bury this whole sordid affair and keep it under wraps?

"Failure to answer these questions make a Holyrood inquiry inevitable."

Two women lodged formal complaints against Mr Salmond with the Scottish Government in January last year.

Mr Salmond denies the allegations and, earlier this week, won his legal case contesting the way in which the complaints against him were handled, with a court ruling the Scottish Government had acted unlawfully.