KIRSTY STRICKLAND

POLITICAL COMMENTATOR POLITICS has a way of encouraging people to tangle themselves in knots in an attempt to defend the party they support.

During the #MeToo movement, ordinary women began to speak out about their experiences of sexual harassment and violence.

It was only a matter of time before the spotlight turned on our parliaments.

In Westminster, men from the two main parties were alleged to have behaved inappropriately – and in some cases, criminally – towards women.

At Holyrood, SNP MSP Mark McDonald was found to have “exploited his position of power” by harassing women.

The revelations continued, then came the inevitable backlash.

Commentators spoke of a “witch-hunt” and warned of the risks of this new era of accountability.

Some suggested that the balance of power had tipped and innocent men could now be felled by malicious allegations.

It moved the responsibility for harassment and abuse back on to the shoulders of the women who speak out.

The pressure on those who complain or report is immense and this upsetting spectacle has highlighted many of the reasons that women don’t come forward.

If the person they complain about is famous, in a position of authority, rich – or all of those things – the reasons to stay quiet and not risk the fire and fury of a backlash must be compelling.

Salmond has just as much right as anybody else to defend himself but he should be mindful of the impact of words and actions.

In a tweet asking for donations to fund his legal action against the Scottish Government over their handling of the allegations, he said: “Salmond puts independence first.”

By linking his crowdfunder to independence for Scotland, Salmond has behaved crassly and irresponsibly.

Nicola Sturgeon has shown grace and leadership in dealing with what is undoubtedly a deeply upsetting issue for her personally.

It’s a shame that her predecessor hasn’t managed the same humility.