I’ve only just heard that Alex Salmond is taking the Scottish Government to court over their handling of two allegations of sexual misbehaviour made against him. I know no more about the details of the allegations than you do, which is no more than has been revealed in the press, but allow me to make a couple of observations.
Firstly, Alex Salmond is taking legal action against the Civil Service because of the way in which they have handled this matter, not against Nicola Sturgeon or her cabinet, who have – rightly – no role in this. It’s also important to point out that anyone accused of an offence has the right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
That said, we cannot make judgements about the guilt or innocence of anyone who is accused of a sexual offence on the basis of our…
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MUNGUIN'S NEW REPUBLIC 
For those not on Twitter here is Alex Salmond’s tweet from last night laying out the full story … so far.
In my view it raises one hell of a lot of questions about Leslie Evans the Permanent Secretary who initiated these “charges” against Alex after making changes to the rules and thereby retrospectively bringing the charges.
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Thank you, Arbroath.
It all seems rather strange to me, and I was going to write something, but I saw that Paul had covered what I wanted to say, and with a deal more eloquence.
Nicola has also issued a statement.
“Complaints were made in January relating to Alex Salmond by two individuals. “These complaints have been considered since then under a procedure covering ministers and former ministers that was agreed by me in December 2017 in the wake of public concern about harassment. “Although I have been aware for some time of the fact of the investigation – initially from Alex Salmond – I have had no role in the process, and to have referred to it before now would have compromised the integrity of the internal investigation, which I was not prepared to do. “However, I was informed by the Permanent Secretary earlier this week that she had completed her investigation and that she intended to make the fact of the complaints public. “Alex Salmond is now challenging the Scottish Government’s procedure in court. The Scottish Government refutes his criticisms of its process and will defend its position vigorously. “However, this focus on process cannot deflect from the fact that complaints were made that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet. “I have been clear on many occasions that all organisations and workplaces must make it possible for people to come forward to report concerns and have confidence that they will be treated seriously. “For that principle to mean anything it cannot be applied selectively. It must be applied without fear or favour, regardless of the identity, seniority or political allegiance of the person involved. “My relationship with Alex Salmond obviously makes this an extremely difficult situation for me to come to terms with. I am also acutely aware how upsetting this will be for my party. “However the over-riding priority must be to ensure fair and due process. I would also ask that the privacy of those who have complained be respected.”
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And I am sure nay supremely
Confident if the same allegations were made
Against a past Labour leader
The same opinion would be
Given .
Yeah right you lot would
Spilling yer guts all over the
Interwebby slagging them
Off to the nth degree .
I’ll only say what goes around
Comes around .
🙄
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No, I wouldn’t, and I resent the implication.
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Allegations have been rumored about a former Labour leader, another big beast if you will. They’ve never been printed in msm. That person is also innocent until proven guilty.
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Indeed.
We don;t know the facts. But we know that no matter who is involved people must be able to make complaints against people whom they thinking have assaulted them, sexually or otherwise.
Equally importantly, those against whom the accusations are made must be given a chance to answer the charges.
It doesn’t matter if they are Labour or Tory, male or female, gay or straight.
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https://beta.gov.scot/publications/permanent-secretary-statement-on-complaints-against-former-first-minister-alex-salmond/
From the Permanent Secretary.
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From NiA statement from Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon said:
“Complaints were made in January relating to Alex Salmond by two individuals.
“These complaints have been considered since then under a procedure covering ministers and former ministers that was agreed by me in December 2017 in the wake of public concern about harassment.
“Although I have been aware for some time of the fact of the investigation – initially from Alex Salmond – I have had no role in the process, and to have referred to it before now would have compromised the integrity of the internal investigation, which I was not prepared to do. However, I was informed by the Permanent Secretary earlier this week that she had completed her investigation and that she intended to make the fact of the complaints public.
“Alex Salmond is now challenging the Scottish Government’s procedure in court. The Scottish Government refutes his criticisms of its process and will defend its position vigorously.
“However, this focus on process cannot deflect from the fact that complaints were made that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.
“I have been clear on many occasions that all organisations and workplaces must make it possible for people to come forward to report concerns and have confidence that they will be treated seriously. For that principle to mean anything it cannot be applied selectively. It must be applied without fear or favour, regardless of the identity, seniority or political allegiance of the person involved.
“My relationship with Alex Salmond obviously makes this an extremely difficult situation for me to come to terms with. I am also acutely aware how upsetting this will be for my party. However the over-riding priority must be to ensure fair and due process. I would also ask that the privacy of those who have complained be respected.” cola a short while ago.
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As I speak, the Yoons on the Herald are circle jerking themselves off in an ecstatic orgy.
This is quite serious folks. Mud sticks.
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Ah didums poor Conan
They don’t like it up em
Them there nats
😏 smirk smirk 😏 smirk
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OK, Niko. Enjoy it if you want to.
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Yes. It is serious.
But as none of us knows much about it except what the FM, Alex and the head of the Civil Service have said, which is next to nothing, none of us can make much in the way of comments.
I think, least said soonest mended in this case.
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Tris
People shouldn’t get carried away as Paul states. Let things run there course, it’s too serious for vitriol in any shape or form.
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Totally agree, Bruce.
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Having worked with Civil Service Unions, albeit some time ago, I find it strange that a civil servant can make a decision on publication. It seems unfair if not prejudicial in this case that the subject of the complaints is named whilst those who made the allegations are not which would seem to indicate that one party involved is guilty whilst the other is not. Thus Salmond will consistently have mud thrown at him by a compliant media right up to the time the issue is resolved one way or another.
It would not be too cynical to suggest that HMG had their spooks going over Salmond’s public and private life before the independence referendum so how were they not aware of issues that were alleged to have occurred in 2013?
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There are a lot of questions that we could ask… that not least of them, John. But it’s a very very good one.
But as we don’t know any answers and aren’t likely to, I think the best thing is to say precious little.
I wanted to say something about it, then I saw that Paul had written something much better than I could have, so I reblogged his piece.
I’ll not say anything more. Let Niko and his friends gloat over the situation and anyone who wants to protest Salmond’s innocence.
I think it’s a bit too serious for that.
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