I have been ‘set up’, says Salmond QC

Defence lawyer’s ‘sting’ claim over train video

SCOTLAND’S most senior lawyer has claimed he was ‘set up’ when he was filmed discussing private details of the Alex Salmond case.

Gordon Jackson, QC, who represented the former First Minister at his sex assault trial, alleges he may have been the victim of a ‘sting’.

Mr Jackson was filmed while he was on a train having a conversation involving the names of complainers in the case. Their identities remain confidential.

He later said he would be stepping down from his prestigious role as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.

Mr Salmond was cleared of a string of allegations, including attempted rape, following a trial in March.

The QC was recorded on a busy train saying that he would put a ‘smell’ on Mr Salmond’s accusers.

In an email sent to all members of the Faculty of Advocates, Mr Jackson, who allegedly named two of Mr Salmond’s accusers in the video, suggested he had fallen victim to a plot.

He wrote: ‘It is as yet far from clear what happened on the train. I strongly suspect this was a deliberate set-up but for now it is not clear what was actually said and to whom and in what circumstances. I very much hope this will be established in due course.’

Last night, Mr Jackson told the Mail of his fears he was the victim of a ‘sting’.

He insisted he had no recollection of the conversation on the train. And he claimed there was some doubt over exactly what he said.

Mr Jackson added: ‘It would not be abnormal to mention the names of individuals in a case. I do not know whether they were mentioned on an identifiable basis – surnames or Christian names.’ Mr Jackson said he had always intended to step down from his post as head of the faculty.

The video of Mr Jackson, 71 – recorded while the case against Mr Salmond was ongoing – was published after the trial.

Nationalist MP Kenny MacAskill this week said ‘dark forces’ were operating and it was ‘more than accidental’ the QC had been caught talking about the case, adding that his ‘real crime’ had been to represent the politician.

After the recording’s release, Mr Jackson asked the Faculty of Advocates to refer the matter to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) to determine whether he had committed a disciplinary offence. Last night the SLCC said it could not comment.

‘Dark forces operating’