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The special Holyrood committee holding an inquiry into the Scottish government's handling of complaints against Alex Salmond is holding its first meeting. Live feed here: bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s… 
First job for the Salmond inquiry committee is to nominate a convener; Linda Fabiani being put forward, but some opposition members saying SNP shouldn't chair it. Jackie Baillie says SNP members are in "really quite a difficult position" in case involving current & former leader
Conservative and Lib Dem members also voicing concerns about SNP chairing the Salmond inquiry committee, but they stress it's not about Linda Fabiani personally, and won't stand in the way of her taking the job; Alex Cole-Hamilton says "the optics of this are not great"
Linda Fabiani is unanimously appointed chair of Holyrood's Salmond inquiry committee (despite concerns voiced by opposition members). Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell is appointed as deputy.
Looks like the Holyrood inquiry into the handling of complaints against Alex Salmond will put off any substantial work until the criminal case against the former first minister has been resolved. Suggestion that the committee could do some background work, but not full hearings.
Committee moves into private session, which will probably be pretty much the last we hear from them for quite some time.
So the Salmond inquiry committee is going to go quiet while the criminal case is sub judice, but will sit again in two weeks "to receive background briefings". Will also write to ScotGov with "expectation of full cooperation" regarding information and documents being provided
Linda Fabiani, chosen to chair Holyrood's Salmond inquiry, says she has "no doubts whatsoever about the integrity of anybody on this committee...every member, regardless of their political party, will act with integrity”. Committee has "wealth of knowledge & background expertise"
