Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls for her resignation, following a parliamentary inquiry into what she knew about sexual harassment accusations against her predecessor and former mentor Alex Salmond. 

Salmond was found not guilty on all charges two years ago.

Sturgeon told the inquiry on Wednesday that Salmond had informed her about his behavior.

"What he described constituted, in my view, deeply inappropriate behavior on his part. Perhaps another reason why that moment is embedded so strongly in my mind," she said.

Sturgeon is accused of misleading parliament about her meetings with Salmond and breaking the ministerial code of conduct. 

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'The right thing'

She has been under growing pressure from her opponents to step down.

"Collectively, these events shine a light on a government whose actions are no longer true to the principles of openness, accountability and transparency, which are the core principles on which this Scottish Parliament was founded. I remember, I was there," said Salmond.

He alleges there has been a malicious plot within the Scottish National Party (SNP) against him, an allegation that Nicola Sturgeon denies.

"I feel I must rebut the absurd suggestion that anyone acted with malice or as part of a plot against Alex Salmond. That claim is not based in any fact," she said. 

"What happened is this, and it is simple: A number of women made serious complaints about Alex Salmond's behavior. The government, despite the mistakes it undoubtedly made, tried to do the right thing.

"As First Minister, I refused to follow the age-old pattern of allowing a powerful man to use his status and connections to get what he wants."

Politically damaging

This complicated case has jeopardized not only Sturgeon's future but also potentially the SNP's success in elections in May.

The party, which has been in power for 14 years, normally presents a united front.

Polls usually show a majority of Scots support independence. But the most recent poll shows a small majority are now against it.

The current government has been focused on Scottish independence and rejoining the European Union but with the party divided, both of those projects now look shaky. 

This feud is proving to be politically damaging and could ultimately force out the SNP leader, with many in Scotland and beyond watching to see how she comes out of this inquiry.

Cover Image: /Jeff J Mitchell/AFP