Ex-Scottish leader testifies successor tried to ruin him

LONDON — Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond on Friday criticized the government of his successor and former friend for undermining democratic principles and the rule of law in the latest episode of a political tug of war that threatens to tear apart Scotland’s independence movement.

Salmond’s comments came as he testified to a committee of the Scottish parliament investigating the government’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against him. Scotland’s highest civil court ruled in 2019 that the government had acted unlawfully and awarded Salmond more than $695,000 in legal expenses.

Salmond criticized his successor, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, for allowing the distinctions between her government, the Scottish National Party and the civil service to become blurred, amid suggestions that she sought to destroy his reputation. The government and civil service have tried to avoid public scrutiny by refusing to turn over evidence requested by parliament, he said.

“The move to independence, which I have sought all my political life and continue to seek, must be accompanied by institutions whose leadership is strong and robust and capable of protecting each and every citizen from arbitrary authority,” Salmond told lawmakers. “Such a principle is a central component of the rule of law.”

The long-awaited testimony was postponed last week after the national prosecutors’ office expressed concerns about Salmond’s written evidence. The documents were removed from the parliament’s website and later republished with some sections redacted, paving the way for Salmond’s appearance on Friday.

In 2019, Salmond was charged with sexual assault and attempted rape after allegations by nine women who had worked with him as first minister or for the party. Salmond called the charges “deliberate fabrications for a political purpose” and was acquitted after a trial in March 2020.

Sturgeon is scheduled to give testimony to the committee next week.

The two have traded accusations for months over who knew what and when about the allegations against Salmond.

Salmond accuses people within the Scottish National Party and Sturgeon’s government of a “malicious and concerted effort” to sideline him and damage his reputation. He alleges Sturgeon lied about her meetings with him and violated the code of conduct for government ministers.