SNP ministers have formally confirmed they intend to defend the legal action brought by former First Minister Alex Salmond over a sexual misconduct inquiry.
The Scottish Government lodged the required notice at the Court of Session today, saying it would contest the “substance” of the action.
However it did not object to Mr Salmond bringing the case in the first place, and said it intended to address “a number of inaccuracies” in his previous statements.
The former First Minister said he was delighted the government had "conceded" his right to bring a petition in the case.
Mr Salmond is seeking a judicial review at Scotland’s highest court over its handling of two complaints made against him in January this year relating to his time in office in 2013.
His action names the Scottish Government’s top official, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, as the first respondent, as she oversaw the investigation.
Mr Salmond, who strongly denies sexual harassment or criminality, was accused by two female civil servants who came forward after the Scottish Government instituted a new complaints process which extended to former ministers last December.
Mr Salmond subsequently resigned from the SNP after 45 years as a member, and raised £100,000 for his legal action through a crowdfunded online appeal.
A Government spokesperson: “The Scottish Government has formally notified the Court of Session of our intention to contest the judicial review being brought by Mr Salmond.
“As we have said previously, we are confident our processes are legally sound and we will vigorously defend our position. There are a number of inaccuracies in Mr Salmond’s public statements and we will address those matters in court.”
Mr Salmond lodged his petition for judicial review at the end of August, and the government had 21 days to respond.
It is now for the court to deal with the substance of Mr Salmond’s petition.
It could be several months before a full hearing in open court.
A spokesperson for Mr Salmond said: "We are delighted that the Scottish Government have now conceded our right to bring the petition.
"Alex is pleased of the progress in bringing his case for Judicial Review before the Court but aware that today’s step forward is but the first round. We will do our substantive talking before the Court of Session.”
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