Alex Salmond cleared of historic sex assault claim as police end probe after his death
CASE CLOSED Alex Salmond cleared of historic sex assault claim as police end probe after his death
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ALEX Salmond has been cleared over a historic sexual assault claim made against him.
The late former first minister passed away aged 69 on October 12 last year while attending a conference in North Macedonia.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Police have dropped a probe after a sexual assault complaint was made against Alex Salmond
Credit: Getty
2
The ex-first minister was cleared in March 2020 after facing 14 charges, mostly of alleged sexual assault
Credit: Reuters
Following his death, cops received a complaint of an alleged sexual assault.
Last November, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have received a report of a non-recent sexual assault. The information is being assessed.'
But following a probe, officers have said that "no further action will be taken".
Mr Salmond became embroiled in claims of sexual assault, contributing to a fallout between him and Nicola Sturgeon.
In January 2018, the Scottish Government received two internal complaints of alleged sexual misconduct against the former SNP leader.
The claims dated back to his time as First Minister, from 2007 until 2014.
The allegations led to an internal investigation and two months later, he was told of the complaints and the ongoing probe.
In August that year, Mr Salmond refuted the allegations and revealed his plans to launch a judicial review against the Scottish Government over its handling of the complaints process.
He also withdrew his long-running membership of the SNP.
In January 2019, the Scottish Government admitted that it had breached its own guidelines, with judges ruling its probe into the complaints was "unlawful" and "tainted with apparent bias".
Two hikers seriously injured after plunging from cliff at Scots beauty spot
Mr Salmond was awarded more than £500,000 in legal expenses but later that month he was arrested and charged.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where he faced 14 charges, including two counts of alleged attempted rage and nine counts of alleged sexual assault.
Mr Salmond denied all the allegations against him and announced he would "defend myself to the utmost".
The high-profile trial got underway at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020.
After 11 days, Mr Salmond was cleared as the jury found him not guilty over the 12 sexual assault charges and the other was found not proven.
One sexual assault charge was also dropped by the Crown.
Following the trial, Mr Salmond and his legal team raised concerns about evidence given under oath, leading to a police and Crown Office probe into potential perjury, which remains ongoing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Following a report of a non-recent sexual assault, enquiries were carried out and no further action will be taken."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Ian Blackford's election decision after Kate Forbes's resignation would stir up SNP tensions
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Another SNP heavyweight is reportedly eying up a switch to Holyrood - and it could have dramatic consequences. Ian Blackford, the former SNP Westminster leader, has admitted he will give the prospect of stepping into Kate Forbes's shoes when she stands down next year "careful consideration". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ian Blackford, SNP's former Westminster leader, hinted he could run as an MSP. He conceded: 'It is not what I had in my mind, it really wasn't. I obviously purposefully didn't put myself forward for the Scottish Parliament a few months ago, so I don't know.' It might not come as no great surprise that Mr Blackford is considering standing in the Highlands constituency that overlaps his former Westminster seat. But it could ramp up tensions in the SNP, once again, if he was to find himself on the ballot for next year's election. The SNP's current Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, is bidding to switch to Holyrood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn speaking during Prime Minister's Questions | House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire Mr Flynn, who many inside the party regard as a future leader, was probably quite pleased Ms Forbes, another potential leader, is calling it quits. But he would likely be less impressed with Mr Blackford coming forward, given the SNP Westminster leader faced accusations he ousted Mr Blackford from his Commons role. If Mr Blackford and Mr Flynn do manage to be elected to Holyrood, amid the tension, it would potentially send a clear signal the SNP is done with Westminster - given the party's three last Commons leaders would be sitting in Holyrood.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon planning to write 'political thriller' with 'murder on every page'
The former first minister has spoken of her dream of writing a work of fiction just days before her memoir is published. Nicola Sturgeon has revealed her ambition to write a novel when she retires from frontline politics next year - and joked it could feature a "murder on every page". The former first minister revealed the plans for her next publishing venture just days before her memoir, Frankly, is published. Sturgeon, who is standing down as an MSP in 2026, was speaking today as a guest at the Women of the World (WOW) show at the Edinburgh Fringe. The ex-SNP leader has become something of a regular on stage in recent months as she steps up the promotional campaign for her political memoir. "I still have lots of ambition to go out and do different things. My biggest ambition now is to see if I've got, and I don't know whether I do, the ability to write a novel," she said in remarks first reported by STV. The outgoing MSP admitted her future novel 'may never see the light of day' but added it would likely be some kind of political thriller. She quipped: "The problem is there are too many people I'd want to kill. There'd be a murder on every second page." Sturgeon also revealed to the audience she had recently been tattooed for the first time. "Here's an ambition I've always had that I've fulfilled recently,' she said. "I got a tattoo. When I phoned my mother to tell her, she thought I was kidding.' She described the wrist tattoo as an infinity symbol with an arrow on the end. "It's a symbol of strength. It means something to me," she added. It comes as Sturgeon is set to appear on a primetime TV interview next week to promote her memoir. The former first minister will be grilled by ITV News stalwart Julie Etchingham for a special programme that will be broadcast at 7pm on August 11. Sturgeon's book, Frankly, hits the shops on August 14. Sturgeon has declared nearly £200,000 in outside earnings since standing down from the top job in Scottish politics. Her book, Frankly, is expected to lift the lid on her nine years as Scotland's leader and the breakdown of her friendship with the late Alex Salmond. According to her Holyrood register of interest, she received £75,000 in 2023 from publishers Pan Macmillan for the first of four instalments of a book advance. Other income, including a recent £76,500 second book payment made via her literary agent and fees for book reviews, was paid to her personal company. Nicola Sturgeon Ltd also received £25,000 from broadcaster ITN after the former SNP leader appeared on a general election night results show. To coincide with publication of her book, fans of Sturgeon are being charged £75 to attend a 'meet and greet' with her later this year ahead of an interview in Edinburgh.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Families of murder victims 'relieved' as Government backs parole ban for killers who hide bodies
Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser's families met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance to press for an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill. The families of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser say they feel 'relieved' after the Scottish Government signalled support for changes to the parole system targeting killers who refuse to reveal where their victims are buried. Speaking in Glasgow on Wednesday following a meeting with Justice Secretary Angela Constance, the families issued a joint statement welcoming the move. They also urged the minister to push ahead with the reforms without delay. The meeting was requested by the families to discuss an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. The amendment would mean that when a convicted murderer r efuses to reveal the location of their victims remains, this 'must' be taken into account when considering parole. Under current legislation, the parole board rules dictate that this 'may' be taken into account. The changes have sometimes been referred to as 'Suzanne's Law' – named after Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered by her colleague David Gilroy in 2010. However, the Scottish Government has not used this term and says decisions on parole are for the independent parole board. Gail Fairgrieve, sister of Suzanne Pilley, and her mother Sylvia Pilley were joined by Carol Gillies – who is Arlene Fraser's sister – in Glasgow on Wednesday. Arlene Fraser vanished in 1998, with her husband Nat Fraser being convicted of her murder in 2012. The joint statement said: 'Today we met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance to seek assurances that this important amendment will go through in the Bill. 'We are relieved that she reaffirmed her support of the amendment and spoke of her commitment for the intent and substantive content of amendment 260 to remain unaltered. 'We'd like to thank her for meeting with us and discussing the impact that this change will have. 'We hope that this change in law will provide not only us, but with other families in our position, with a measure of comfort and confidence that they can get the justice that we all so badly deserve.' It continued: 'With the next stage due on return from summer recess, we urge ministers to ensure that this legislation is enacted as soon as possible – we have already been under unimaginable strain and pressure for so many years leading up to this moment.' The SNP minister said: 'I am grateful to the families of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser for meeting with me today. 'They have suffered heartbreaking losses, compounded by not knowing the final resting place of their loved ones. My deepest sympathies remain with them. 'In March, I supported an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill that will mean the Parole Board, when making decisions about release, must take account of whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victim's remains, but has not disclosed it. 'At today's meeting, I reiterated my firm commitment to this change, which will become law if the Bill is passed in Parliament.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
