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The former leader of the SNP in Westminster, Angus Robertson, was contacted by Edinburgh Airport around allegations Mr Salmond had acted inappropriately at the transport hub.

Mr Salmond denied the “inappropriateness" towards female staff to Mr Robertson and no formal complaint was raised at the time.

The incident happened in 2009 while Mr Salmond was first minister.

Former first minister Alex Salmond appears before the Scottish Parliament Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints at the Scottish Parliament Building. Picture: Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body via Getty Images

Alex Salmond Inquiry LIVE: Updates as Committee questions former First Minister ...

The allegations were later brought to the attention of Nicola Sturgeon in November 2017 following a press enquiry from Sky News, which did not run a story on the incident.

Mr Salmond was quizzed on Friday over the incident by Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton in his oral evidence session to the Holyrood committee investigating the Scottish Government’s botched handling of sexual harassment allegations made against him.

When asked if he had threatened to resign from the party when the allegations were put to Ms Sturgeon in November 2017, Mr Salmond said: "The answer is no, Mr Cole-Hamilton.

Former first minister Alex Salmond prepares to make his opening statement to the Scottish Parliament Harassment committee. Picture: Andy Buchanan/PA Wire

"And since you’ve raised it let me say again, the press story, the Sky news story, which didn’t amount to anything and without the circumstances of this inquiry never would have amounted to anything, were not the sort of matter that I’d be threatening resignation. The answer is no.

“I think in the atmosphere at the time, I think perhaps people were overreacting … in November 2017 in a number of ways, which perhaps explains other people’s reactions.

"The Sky news story was never broadcast and there was a good reason for it never being broadcast.

"And again I would just say there are enormous issues before this committee and there’s going to be plenty of questions you can ask my successor over areas which are fundamental to this inquiry.

"But no I didn’t threaten resignation – there was nothing to threaten resignation about. And threatening resignation I’m not sure is the right term anyway.”

Mr Salmond is continuing to give evidence to the committee.

Ms Sturgeon is scheduled to appear before the committee to give evidence next Wednesday.

Alex Salmond inquiry: Former first minister denies threatening to resign from SNP over Edinburgh Airport allegations