POLICE are investigating a fresh allegation of sexual assault against Alex Salmond.
A woman reported the alleged incident, which police confirmed was “non-recent”, shortly after Salmond’s death last month, the Herald on Sunday reports.
Alba have reacted furiously, accusing the SNP of launching “attacks and smears” against their late former leader.
The Herald on Sunday reported that “up to six women” approached the SNP more than two years ago to make further complaints about Salmond.
It is said the complaints, also of a sexual nature, were reported to the party’s compliance officer Ian McCann and raised with former chief executive Peter Murrell (below) but not taken further.
An SNP spokesperson said: “SNP disciplinary processes can only be invoked against current SNP members.”
A senior party source told the paper: “Around two years ago, five or six complaints of inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature were reported to the party and went as far as Peter Murrell.
“The allegations date as far back as the 1980s, including in Alex’s Banff and Buchan constituency.
“Because Alex was no longer a party member, or an employee of the party – and therefore no longer subject to its disciplinary procedures – it was felt that there was nowhere for an internal investigation to go.”
Salmond was cleared of 14 charges of alleged crimes including sexual assault and attempted rape in March 2020 after a trial at Edinburgh High Court.
When he died, the former first minister was in the process of suing the Scottish Government over its botched handling of sexual assault claims made against him.
The process was found to have been biased against Salmond.
A source close to the party told the Herald on Sunday that shortly before the criminal trial, a complaint was made by a female MP who claimed that Salmond groped her while they were posing for a photoshoot.
The source said: “She was shocked, traumatised and angry but she didn’t go to the police because she didn’t want to do anything that might prejudice the trial.
“She believed she would get justice, indirectly, through the trial but the jury saw things differently.”
Another source said: “I can’t begin to describe the shock and bewilderment inside the party when Alex was cleared of all charges.
“While no-one could argue with the verdict – he was judged and cleared by a jury of his peers – it arguably acted as a break on anyone else coming forward with fresh allegations, until now.
“Alex was a powerful and litigious figure and there’s a belief within the party that some women might not have come forward because they were scared of challenging him and the political establishment surrounding him.”
Responding to coverage of the allegations reported by the media, Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny said the claims are “smears” and urged for Salmond to be allowed to “rest in peace”.
A police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a report of a non-recent sexual assault. The information is being assessed.”
The SNP were approached for further comment.
