Rape Crisis accuse Salmond lawyer of ‘fobbing off’ probe
Leading advocate denies ‘pulling strings’
RAPE Crisis Scotland has accused Alex Salmond’s QC of delaying a probe into his conduct during the former First Minister’s sexual offences trial. Chief executive Sandy Brindley also dismissed the Faculty of Advocates, which is carrying out the investigation into Gordon Jackson, as a “boys’ club” that was “closing ranks” to “protect one of their own”. She blasted: “Jackson is being allowed to pull the strings in his own investigation, fobbing it off until he is able to retire in peace.” Salmond was acquitted this year of attempted rape and sexual assault charges after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh Jackson represented Salmond and the former SNP leader paid tribute to his “absolutely exceptional” legal team after the verdict. Footage then emerged of Jackson, at that point the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, discussing the case on a train. The recording appeared to show Jackson identifying two of his client’s accusers, whose anonymity is protected. Rape Crisis Scotland made a complaint in April to a legal watchdog about the QC’s comments and Jackson quit as Dean. The complaints were then referred to the Faculty for investigation. However, the charity said the Faculty has granted Jackson multiple extensions during the probe. They say the latest deadline is December 18 – about nine months after the complaint was made to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.
Brindley said: “It’s hard to see this latest move by the Faculty as anything other than a boy’s club closing ranks to protect one of their own.
“You’d be forgiven for thinking that Jackson is being allowed to pull the strings in his own investigation, fobbing it off until he is able to retire in peace. This is unacceptable and in our view undermines public confidence in the Faculty of Advocates.”
Last night, Jackson said: “It wouldn’t help me in any way delaying it. But those who act for me, my legal people, they have been carrying out certain investigations and will no doubt be dealing with it as timeously as they possibly can.
“I have got no motive to delay it unduly. I am not retiring in the foreseeable future. So that motive, I can tell you, has absolutely got no merit.”
A spokesperson for the Faculty said: “Mr Jackson is the subject of a complaint which is being addressed under the Faculty’s Discipline Rules. His lawyers sought the latest extension in order to be able to finalise his defence. That extension was granted in the interests of fairness.”