Salmond allies dismiss misconduct leak claims in Sturgeon memoir

Salmond allies dismiss misconduct leak claims in Sturgeon memoir

Katy Scott reported on the recent developments surrounding Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. It was mentioned that Allies of Alex Salmond have dismissed Nicola Sturgeon’s suggestion that he leaked details about an investigation into sexual misconduct claims made against him. Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual offense charges in 2020. In her upcoming memoir, Sturgeon denied releasing details about the probe, or having any knowledge of who did. Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill called her a “hypocrite” while the party’s former general secretary, Chris McEleny, described the ex-SNP leader’s claim as a “fabrication”.

Sturgeon succeeded Salmond as the first minister in 2014 until she resigned in March 2023. A judicial review concluded that the Scottish government’s investigation into Salmond’s alleged misconduct was unlawful, unfair, and tainted by apparent bias. Salmond passed away last October, and was later awarded more than £500,000 in legal expenses. He left the SNP in 2018 and formed the pro-independence Alba party in 2021. MacAskill recently called for a public inquiry into the handling of sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond, who he succeeded as Alba leader.

Journalist David Clegg broke the story about the Salmond investigation and stated that he did not believe there was any truth in Sturgeon’s leak claims. The extract is the second to be published from Sturgeon’s memoir. In the first, published in The Times, the former first minister described her arrest by police investigating the SNP’s finances as the worst day of her life. The former first minister was later exonerated and has since separated from Mr Murrell, who has been charged with embezzlement.

The latest development serves as a reminder of the spectacular implosion of the relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. It also raises questions about Alex Salmond’s legacy and the implications for the future of the SNP. With the Scottish election nine months away, the explosive account of the end of the relationship at the heart of the SNP may affect the party’s prospects of securing re-election

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More