Salmond QC faces probe over ‘sex pest’ remarks recorded on a train
ALEX Salmond’s QC has referred himself to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) after he was filmed apparently discussing the case on a train before the former First Minister was acquitted of all charges.
Gordon Jackson was filmed making remarks on a train during the course of the trial which finished at the High Court in Edinburgh last Monday.
In the video, obtained by The Sunday Times, the lawyer appears to say Mr Salmond could be seen as “a sex pest but he’s not charged with that” and Mr Jackson, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said he does not regard him in that way.
He said: “I have decided that the proper course of action is to self-refer this matter to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission and that has been done.
“It will be for the commission to consider this matter.
“To be clear, however, I do not regard Alex Salmond as a sex pest, and any contrary impression is wrong.
“I also deeply regret the distress and difficulties which have been caused, but given the reference to the SLCC it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Mr Salmond was acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape, following an 11-day trial.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts on 12 charges and returned a not proven verdict on a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.
Rape Crisis Scotland has called for a full investigation of the video footage.
A statement issued by Mr Salmond said: “Mr Salmond was acquitted on all charges against him on Monday, March 23, 2020, by a jury of nine women and six men (eight women and five men at the time of verdict) after hearing all the evidence in a two week trial.
“He made a statement on the steps of the High Court and said that he would make no further public comment on these matters until after the coronavirus crisis was over.”
Roddy Dunlop, QC, vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: “The faculty takes this matter extremely seriously.
“It plainly warrants investigation, but as the dean has self-referred to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, it would not be appropriate for the faculty to comment further.”
In a separate development, the women who made sexual assault allegations against Mr Salmond told how they have been left “devastated” after he was acquitted of all charges.
But the nine women insisted they will not let the verdicts define them.
They said they hope their experience can lead to improved understanding of sexual harassment and assault.
They also said that while the experience of taking the case to court had been “traumatic”, it had been the “right thing to do”.
In a joint statement, the women said: “While we are devastated by the verdict, we will not let it define us.
“We hope through shining a light on our experiences, it will serve to protect and empower women in the future.”
Their statement, issued by Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “Today we want to send a strong and indisputable message that such behaviours should not be tolerated — by any person, in any position, under any circumstances.”
The women spoke out almost a week after the former SNP leader was cleared of the charges he had been facing.
They said the process of taking the case to court had been “traumatic”.
They also thanked Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for “taking our experiences seriously and for allowing our voices to be heard”.