Woman’s sex assault claims followed ‘consensual’ encounter
Alex Salmond says claims he attempted to rape a former Scottish Government official are a “lie” and “never” happened.
The former first minister said that his relationship with Woman H deteriorated after he refused to endorse her for a career project in 2015. The charges emerged three years later, he said. He denies a further sexual assault claim she made.
Salmond told the High Court yesterday that there had been a “sexual encounter” with Woman H, but said this took place in Bute House in August 2013.
The consensual encounter happened after a dinner at the First Minister’s official Edinburgh residence after they went up to his bedroom. It was initiated by Woman H, Salmond said.
“Neither party was naked, but in a state of partial undress in terms of buttons or whatever,” he said.
“It should never have started, it should not have happened.”
Both parties agreed to put it “behind us”, Salmond added.
He insisted that they then worked “perfectly amicably” throughout the next year and throughout 2015.
He described Woman H as his “biggest cheerleader” and long-time friend, but told the court that this changed after he refused to “endorse” a career project in 2015.
Theattemptedrapeisalleged to have happened after a meal with a famous Scottish actor which Woman H says she had attended at Bute House in June 2014. But Mr Salmond insisted that she did not attend the dinner. Official diaries show that she could not have been at Bute House in May 2014, according to evidence led by defence advocate Gordon Jackson, when the alleged sexual assault happened.
Asked if his position was that the claims about events after the dinner were a “lie”, Salmond responded: “That’s correct, yes.”
When the allegation of attempted rape was put to the former first minister, he responded: “Never.”
Salmond said he was warned by a former adviser in January 2018 that if he stood for election again, Woman H would make a complaints against him.
Salmond’s ex-office manager Isabella Zambonini said she had a conversation with Woman H who asked about Mr Salmond.
According to Ms Zambonini, Woman H said; “He needs to remember where he is and how he got there – I was instrumental in making that happen.”
Ms Zambonini said had been shocked as the meeting turned from a “normal conversation to a very angry exchange.”