SALMOND ON ...

Drinking habits His wife, Moira

‘I will tell you one thing that has encouraged me: friends and family, today and in the case of Moira over the last few months, have been incredibly supportive.’

Messages of support

‘Interestingly, I have had a lot from civil servants saying they wish they had been able to give evidence.’

Personal shortcomings

‘I am no saint, I have got flaws, I understand that.’

Discussing the allegations with Nicola Sturgeon

‘I’m not going to say what the private conversation between myself and Nicola Sturgeon was. But Nicola wasn’t part of the process. ‘Private conversations, as far as I’m concerned, are private conversations.’

Allegations against him being made public

‘I’ve asked Leslie Evans to launch an inquiry to find out, because clearly that is a serious breach of confidence, even in the new terms of the Scottish Government and I think she should do that as quickly as possible.’

Legal action against the Scottish Government

‘If I’m wrong, and I fail in the Court of Session then I’ve got no alternative but to answer the complaints openly and publicly, which I will. But if I’m right, and this process is fundamentally flawed, then those at the top of the administration of the Scottish Government – and I am talking about the administration, not politicians, the Permanent Secretary at the top of the administration, will have the most serious of questions to answer.’