In a recent development concerning Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, Police Scotland has confirmed that it will take no further action regarding a historical sexual assault allegation made against him. This follows an investigation into complaints made last year, after Salmond’s death at the age of 69. The inquiry was particularly notable given Salmond’s prominent position in Scottish politics, notably as the founder of the Alba Party and a former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
The complaint regarding Salmond was brought to the authorities’ attention after his passing, which occurred in October 2024, when he suffered a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia. Salmond’s history, particularly surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct, has been contentious. In March 2020, he faced a high-profile trial in which he was acquitted of 13 sexual offence charges, including serious allegations such as attempted rape. The trial lasted for two weeks at the High Court in Edinburgh and concluded with his exoneration, marking a significant chapter in Salmond’s controversial career.
In November of the previous year, Police Scotland publicly acknowledged that they had received a report detailing a “non-recent sexual assault.” Following an extensive investigation, they have since decided that no further action would be warranted in this case. This moment is indicative of the lasting complexities and sensitivities surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly given the charged environment and the political dimensions involved. The nature of these allegations, combined with Salmond’s earlier legal challenges and his eventual acquittal, adds layers of intrigue to this police statement.
Salmond’s latter years have been steeped in scrutiny and legal challenges stemming from allegations made against him during his time in office. Notably, in 2019, he successfully sued the Scottish government, which was then led by Nicola Sturgeon, his former protégé, relating to how the investigation into the harassment complaints was conducted. Salmond was awarded £500,000 after the inquiry was labeled “tainted with apparent bias,” underscoring the intense political rivalry and investigation controversies that characterized this period.
His first ministership ended in 2014, and he subsequently formed the Alba Party in 2021, a party that resonates with independence aspirations in Scotland. The line between political rivalry and legal battles is fraught, with Salmond frequently claiming that elements within the SNP had conspired against him as he sought to regain his political prominence. Several of the women who accused him of misconduct were actually political allies or officials within the Scottish government, highlighting the multifaceted nature of these allegations.
One of the root issues was articulated during Salmond’s trial, where he described a moment of what he termed a “sleepy cuddle” with one complainant while in an official capacity. He characterized the charges against him as deliberate political fabrications, suggesting a broader narrative of political collusion aimed at undermining his reputation and political career. His defense team acknowledged that while he could have acted more appropriately, he did not engage in any criminal behavior.
The inquiry led by Holyrood, examining the government’s handling of complaints against Salmond, also found that while Nicola Sturgeon misled members of the Scottish Parliament regarding a meeting with Salmond, she did not breach the ministerial code. This illustrates the complicated intersections of personal misconduct allegations, legal outcomes, and political implications in Scotland’s contemporary political landscape.
As of now, with Police Scotland confirming no further legal steps will be taken, the controversy surrounding Alex Salmond lingers—the man, the politician, and the myriad narratives surrounding his quests for power and the legality of his past actions. The story remains a testament to the complexities and often contentious relationship between allegations of misconduct, political motives, and public perception within Scotland.
