Only gossip was that he enjoyed flutter on horses

Senior special adviser shocked by allegations as ‘not the slightest inkling’ of such stories linked to former FM

In August 2018, I was astounded to read that former First Minister Alex Salmond had been accused of sexual misconduct during his time in office.

The civil service had changed their rules on these matters, and two allegations from civil servants had been made. I was shocked because for three years I had been a senior special adviser – a Spad as they’re known in political circles – firstly to Mr Salmond, then to Nicola Sturgeon.

And for 14 years before joining the Scottish Government, I’d been political editor of The Sunday Post, and in all that time, there had never been the slightest inkling of allegations of that nature linked to Alex Salmond.

There were rumours about many politicians of course, of excessive drinking, of affairs, and other activities unbecoming of public servants. None ever related to Mr Salmond. The only story we ever heard about him was that he liked a flutter on the horses.

He engendered loyalty in his staff. On hearing the news, I called him on his mobile, but the call went to voicemail.

I left a message saying that if there was anything I could do to help he could call me. Minutes later, he did call back, and asked if I would handle the deluge of media calls which he now expected. I readily agreed, and for the succeeding months, it took over my life. The accusations had emerged after changes were made to civil service complaints procedures which had then been backdated.

It seemed to me that this was wrong. You can’t change a rule or a law and backdate it so that things which had been acceptable or had been arbitrated under a previous system could now be reconsidered.

I have always admired Mr Salmond and my relationship with him goes back several decades. I first knew him when I was a reporter in Edinburgh and he was an up-and-coming politician.

When the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 and I was appointed political editor, Mr Salmond was leader of the Opposition, and an invaluable source of stories. He could be irascible, but always approachable.

Much has been made about late-night dinners in Bute House, but these were work events, often after a 16-hour day.

He did enjoy a single malt, but never in all the years I’ve known him did I ever see him the worse for drink.

Now Mr Salmond has been cleared of all charges, the political repercussions will begin. Lots of evidence wasn’t heard during the trial, evidence which I have no doubt Mr Salmond will now put in the public domain.

I am sure I’m not alone in looking forward to hearing his voice again.

Picture: PA. Alex Salmond arriving with adviser Campbell Gunn at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January 2019.