Salmond closes crowdfunder

A crowdfunding campaign by Alex Salmond to help fund his legal challenge against the Scottish Government’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations against him has been halted after it raised more than £100,000.

The former Scottish first minister announced he was asking for money to help with his court battle at the same time as he dramatically quit the SNP.

But after his heavily criticised funding campaign raised double its £50,000 target, Mr Salmond announced he was closing it.

He said: “Many thanks to the thousands of people who have come forward with support. We will now press on with the challenge to the lawfulness of the procedure. All funds will be used exclusively to support the judicial review. If we are successful in the Court of Session then there are likely to be substantial surplus funds and, as I have pledged, every penny will then go to good causes in Scotland and beyond.”

But his decision to ask the public for financial support has been branded “unprecedented” and “unbelievable” by opposition politicians.

It comes after Mr Salmond was informed in March of an investigation by the Scottish Government, after two complaints about his behaviour were made in January.

The allegations date back to 2013, when he was still first minister, with Police Scotland having confirmed details have been passed to the force.