ALEX Salmond’s lawyers have paid tribute to the former first minister’s “courage” as he faced the “apparatus of the state turning against him”.
His counsel at the top Glasgow law firm Levy and McRae helped Salmond through three separate legal processes – his judicial review against the Scottish Government, the criminal trial, and the subsequent parliamentary inquiry.
David McKie (below), a senior partner at the firm, said Salmond “had a unique ability to connect with the person in the street right up to heads of state and royalty”.
He added: “Alex’s courage and strength of character over the three-year period, from the Scottish Government launching an unlawful process against him, throughout his criminal trial in which he was cleared on all charges by a jury of his peers, to his unimpeachable evidence in the parliamentary inquiry, was absolutely incredible.
“What he endured – the apparatus of the state turning against him – would have broken many people, but not Alex.
“He remained utterly determined to see justice done, but showed no bitterness or anger towards his accusers or to the many others who jumped on the bandwagon to condemn him, even before any evidence had been produced or presented.
“Instead, he simply focused on the evidence and understood, unlike many commentators at the time, the importance of the due process of law. While some individuals, for whatever reasons, remained critical and sceptical (even after his legal victories, all of which were grounded on the evidence), his friends and his true supporters, as well as those who respect the rule and process of law, recognised and respected his complete vindication.”
McKie said he would remember Salmond (below), who died aged 69 in North Macedonia on Saturday, as an “incredible human being, with remarkable insight, strength of personality and a stoic restraint which many others could not contemplate”.
He added: “I cannot fail to mention either his kindness, loyalty, his ability with people and, remarkably, the wonderful sense of humour he managed to show throughout and despite his tribulations.
“My thoughts go out to Moira and to his very close friends and associates whom I had the privilege of getting to know through an otherwise horrendous period in Alex’s life.
“While there are still some injustices to be resolved, I hope Alex could rest in the knowledge that he was unequivocally vindicated and that he retained the love and respect of those who most mattered to him.”
Callum Anderson, who co-led the criminal defence team in the firm, said: “Working with Alex was a unique and inspiring experience. He exemplified resolve, forensic focus and a strategic understanding which are normally the preserve of only very experienced lawyers.
“I stood next to Alex when he was first arrested and charged and was at his side when he gave a truly unforgettable speech on the day of his acquittal. That day coincided with the start of lockdown and, despite Alex having been overwhelmingly cleared, his focus was instead on those suffering the impact of the pandemic. That was the mark of the man.”
