‘I absolutely have no recollection of seeing (her) on that night’: Witness

A businesswoman has told jurors she does not recall seeing Woman H “at any point” on the evening the alleged assault is said to have taken place.

The former Scottish Government official told the High Court in Edinburgh the incident took place at Bute House in Edinburgh following a dinner in June 2014.

Salmond denies the alleged incident happened, saying the woman was not there on the night in question.

He has said he had a “consensual sexual liaison” with Woman H the previous year.

The defence witness, a company director, said she was not drinking at the event but a bottle of wine was served to the table where she, Salmond and another guest were sitting.

When Alex Prentice QC, the prosecution lawyer, suggested the complainer had been at the dinner, the witness replied: “I understand the police put that to me and I absolutely have no recollection of seeing (her) on that night.”

The court was told she had sought advice before giving a statement to police when they contacted her last month about allegations against Salmond.

His former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein told the court he spoke with a complainer, who claims the accused sexually assaulted her, but she did not indicate she would be involved in proceedings against him.

The defence called Fergus Mutch, a former employee of Salmond.

He spoke about being in the company of complainer Woman J on the day after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by the politician at Bute House.

He said she did not give the impression of being agitated when he saw her.

Mr Mutch, 30, said: “She seemed in good form. She seemed to be professional at all times. She seemed relaxed.”

Kirk Torrance, 38, told the court he worked on the referendum campaign alongside Woman J.

When asked whether she appeared upset in the days following the alleged assault, Mr Torrance replied: “Quite the opposite.”

He said she had been told a piece of gossip by Salmond and was repeating it in front of colleagues.

He said: “She was talking enthusiastically with colleagues. She was dining out on the story.”