Salmond ally ridiculed for claiming ‘dark forces’ at work
‘Poison and prejudice’
A SENIOR nationalist MP has been described as ‘unfit for office’ after claiming ‘dark forces’ were at work during the alex Salmond case.
Kenny Macaskill was attacked by opposition politicians and even the leader of the SNP’s student wing following his latest comments.
The East Lothian MP – who served as justice secretary in Mr Salmond’s government – claimed that the former First Minister’s lawyer may have been the victim of a conspiracy against Mr Salmond.
The row comes after a video emerged of Gordon Jackson, Qc, appearing to name two of Mr Salmond’s accusers, flouting a High court order.
Mr Salmond was found not guilty on 12 charges, including sexual assault and attempted rape. a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape was found not proven.
Following his acquittal, Mr Salmond pledged that evidence of a conspiracy against him would be made public – but only after the coronavirus crisis was over.
He said ‘certain evidence’ would ‘see the light of day’.
Giving evidence at his trial, Mr Salmond said allegations against him were ‘deliberate fabrications for political purposes’. Yesterday, Mr Macaskill hit out at prosecutors for pursuing charges that were ‘utter bunkum’ and ‘pretty flimsy’.
Writing in the new issue of the Scottish Left Review, Mr Macaskill said: ‘The poison that had flowed before and even during the trial has continued unabated. amongst their victims was Gordon Jackson, Qc, whose real “crime” seems to have been to have represented Salmond.
‘The manner in which he was brought down seems more than accidental. It certainly seems that, as well as the poison and prejudice of a few, there were other “dark forces” operating.’
Mr Macaskill is seen as a close ally of the former SNP leader. He accompanied him to court during the judicial review against the Scottish Government, which Mr Salmond won.
The review found the Scottish Government had botched an investigation into two complaints of harassment made against the ex-politician. Mr Macaskill’s comments have now sparked a row within his own party.
Chris Duffy, national secretary of SNP students, wrote on Twitter: ‘I’m sure his constituents will be thrilled to hear that he has absolutely no faith in the Scottish criminal justice system because credible accusations were made against his mate.’
He added Mr Macaskill’s suggestion of a conspiracy ‘shows a level of delusion that should mark him as unfit for office’.
Last night Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray said believers in ‘dark forces’ were usually found ‘in the murky depths of social media – not in the commons’.