Alba leader calls for public inquiry into Alex Salmond 'conspiracy'
MacAskill, who served under Salmond as justice secretary, told Go Radio: 'I think there has to be an inquiry because what happened to Alex Salmond was fundamentally wrong.
'I think what we are seeing is obfuscation, to put it mildly, by the Scottish Government. There can be no cover up in Holyrood or in St Andrew's House.
'We require to know who did what, what was done, if that impacts upon Alex so be it, but I don't believe it does. I believe it will vindicate him because a manifest injustice was done towards him.'
Asked whether Sturgeon was a part of a conspiracy against Salmond, MacAskill (above) added: 'I believe so. There was a political conspiracy to do down Alex Salmond.
'I have no doubt that was a factor in his early death. He wasn't even 70 but what he had to endure.
'But he was vindicated in the civil courts with the Scottish Government chastised in the highest court in our land and in the criminal court a jury of his peers exculpated him.'
Sturgeon has previously denied claims she orchestrated a conspiracy to bring down her one-time mentor.
READ MORE: Tony Blair's staff took part in 'Gaza Riviera' project, reports say
She has faced questions in the past about her involvement with the sexual harassment claims against Salmond which eventually led to his criminal trial.
Salmond was handed a legal victory in a civil case against the Scottish Government over claims of sexual harassment which a court found to be 'tainted with apparent bias' because the person investigating the complaints had had contact with the complainers prior to the probe.
He was later cleared of 14 charges – sexual and indecent assault and intent to rape – in March 2020.
At the time of his death, Salmond (above) was pursuing the Scottish Government for damages of £3 million due to the botched investigation of sexual harassment complaints against him.
Speaking in Parliament in 2019, Sturgeon said: 'It seems to me that I am being simultaneously accused of being involved in a conspiracy against Alex Salmond, and also of colluding with Alex Salmond.
'Nothing could be further from the truth in both of those - neither of those things are true.
'Since I found out about the investigation I have tried to do the right thing in a situation which, no matter what happened, was never going to be easy for me.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Lisa Nandy aide 'drafted note saying BBC is institutionally antisemitic'
Nandy is due to meet with Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely at an unconfirmed date and was advised by a policy officer to make the claim against the BBC. But a source at the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport told The National that this was dropped and the Culture Secretary would not brand the BBC 'antisemitic' at her meeting with the ambassador. They said: 'It was an initial draft.' READ MORE: How the UK media are covering up British spy flights for Israel It comes after independent journalist Matt Kennard revealed that briefing notes for the meeting had also advised the Culture Secretary to tell Hotovely that 'one mistake is an editing error but if you have multiple mistakes you need to look at the leadership'. The BBC found itself under fire from the upper echelons of the UK Government after broadcasting punk band Bob Vylan (below) leading at chant at Glastonbury which called for 'death to the [Israeli Defence Forces]'. (Image: Yui Mok) Kennard also reported that Nandy was also advised to tell the Israeli ambassador that 'Glastonbury continues to host acts with vile and inflammatory views' and more investigation was needed. The Bob Vylan chant was denounced as 'antisemitic' by Nandy, who last week told MPs: 'There is a clear difference between speaking out for Palestine, which is the right of everybody in this house and everybody in our country, and antisemitism, which is not and never will be. 'When the rights and safety of people and communities are at risk and when our national broadcaster fails to uphold its own standards, we will intervene.' READ MORE: Tony Blair's staff took part in 'Gaza Riviera' project, reports say She has discussed the matter with BBC director-general Tim Davie and demanded an explanation as to why the segment was broadcast. Nandy said last week: 'When you have one editorial failure, it's something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership.' Bob Vylan's comments were reported to the police, with Avon and Somerset Police confirming footage would be "assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed". The band had their US visas revoked ahead of a tour of the country and the BBC later announced it would no longer broadcast "high risk" live performances.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Scottish ministers accused of 'taking a wrecking ball' to North Sea oil and gas
Opposition parties say the Scottish Government has 'squandered' its just transition fund. 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... Scottish ministers are being accused of 'taking a wrecking ball' to the North Sea oil and gas industry after a new report shows the government's energy fund has only saved 120 jobs. The just transition fund, created by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has spent £43 million in its first two years on 24 projects. However, this has only saved 120 jobs and created a further 110. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Conservatives say this 'paltry' return on investment will not allay fears within the sector and shows the Scottish Government has 'squandered' this fund. The just transition fund aims to move Scotland away from fossil fuels. | Andrew Milligan/Press Association The report, published by the Scottish Government, said: '[The fund] had supported job creation and reskilling, empowered communities, catalysed private investment, and initiated innovation in green technologies and land restoration.' It added: 'Many of the projects are still in their early phases, and long-term impacts - particularly around carbon reduction, employment retention and supply chain transformation - will take time to materialise. 'Nonetheless, the fund has provided the foundations for economic and environmental change.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The report also notes the fund has helped to leverage £30m in private sector investment and £4.7m from the public sector and charities. The fund aims to spend £500m over 10 years to help Scotland move away from fossil fuels to green renewable energy. However, Douglas Lumsden MSP, the Scottish Conservatives' net zero spokesman, said: 'This paltry return will do nothing to allay the fears of tens of thousands of highly-skilled workers in Scotland's oil and gas sector. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Douglas Lumsden MSP, the Scottish Conservatives' net zero spokesman | supplied 'They know the SNP and Labour are taking a wrecking ball to their industry and this report confirms they have not got a clue how to properly protect jobs for the future. 'Taxpayers will be rightly thinking their money has typically been squandered by the SNP who must urgently shift from their current reckless approach if we are to achieve an affordable transition.'
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
SNP selection candidate wins appeal after 'stitch up'
Toni Giugliano, who was in the running to be the party's candidate for Falkirk West at the Holyrood election next year, said that his appeal against the suspension has been upheld. Speaking to The National on Monday, Giugliano (below) said: 'I'm delighted that the SNP's Conduct Appeals Committee unanimously upheld my appeal and dismissed the complaint that led to my removal from the Falkirk West selection ballot, days before the poll closed. (Image: Toni Giugliano) 'I should never have been suspended and removed from the ballot. The committee's report is clear that I was denied a fair hearing. Indeed, I should have been cleared.' He claimed the result was a 'full vindication for the members who voted for me and stood by me', adding: 'I will now consult both with my supporters in Falkirk and the party, about what comes next. 'But make no mistake – our membership is the foundation of the SNP and they must never again be sidelined and disenfranchised. I'm pleased that due process has finally prevailed.' READ MORE: Tony Blair's staff took part in 'Gaza Riviera' project, reports say A complaint of bullying was made against Giugliano just days before the local party voted to choose its candidate for next year's election. He was running against three others and councillor Gary Bouse emerged victorious. But the complaint was dismissed by Giugliano's supporters as a conspiracy to block him from running, with one member telling The Herald in May: 'Toni has been stitched up and the voices of local members totally disregarded.' (Image: Supplied) A statement to SNP national secretary Alex Kerr (above, right) from the Falkirk South branch said: 'The SNP is founded on the principles of democracy and the active participation of its members. 'We are therefore dismayed that Toni Giugliano – a vetted candidate – was removed from the ballot just days before the declaration of results, in a decision that is entirely politically motivated and lacking in transparency." The SNP were approached for comment.
