‘Uncivil war’ with Sturgeon must stop now, Salmond tells his supporters

0 Alex Salmond blamed press for row with Nicola Sturgeon Alex Salmond has pledged to end the hostilities with Nicola Sturgeon that flared up after the collapsed Scottish Government sexual harassment probe against him.

The former First Minister branded recent ill-tempered exchanges between his supporters and Ms Sturgeon’s camp as an “uncivil war” and revealed he has told his own aides to back down, in an interview with the Sunday National newspaper.

He blamed journalists for “provoking” the row and called on Ms Sturgeon to focus on independence.

“It takes two to tango and I’m just not playing this game,” he said.

“There is nothing the unionist press like more than creating an internal SNP spat.

“It is the easiest thing in the world to bounce off quotes and briefings of people to provoke a response.

“I have told my team that we are not getting involved. This ‘uncivil war’ stops now.”

However, Ms Sturgeon’s supporters have accused his camp of conducting a “vendetta” against her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and of carrying out a “smear” campaign.

It followed claims from the Salmond side that Ms Lloyd was aware of the allegations against the ex-leader in late March – before Ms Sturgeon claims she was told on April 2.

Mr Salmond has accused some of seeking to remove him as a “political threat”.

The row intensified after Mr Salmond won a victory at the Court of Session over a botched Scottish Government probe into claims of sexual harassment against him.

He denies the allegations, which are the subject of a police inquiry.

Mr Salmond also called on Ms Sturgeon to step up her push for a second independence referendum, prompting claims from Tory chief whip Maurice Golden that the pair are still at odds.

The MSP said: “The war between the SNP’S two biggest egos is intensifying by the day.

“When they’re not feuding over the complaints against Alex Salmond’s conduct, they’re fighting about the timing of another independence referendum.”