ALEX SALMOND GOES ON THE ATTACK!

STATEMENT FROM ALEX SALMOND 30th August 2021

SALMOND REFERS BOOK EXTRACTS TO CROWN OFFICE FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

“I had previously considered that following two Court cases and a Parliamentary Inquiry it would be best to make no further comment on any of these matters.

The upcoming publication of a book and extracts now reported make that impossible. Thus I have taken the following course of action.

First, after consultation with my lawyers, I consider that the book potentially breaches the criminal law in a number of ways and I have reported my concerns to the Crown. The Crown Office has previously taken action against others. Now it must now display the impartiality and independence which lies at the heart of public prosecution in pursuing these breaches. For legal reasons I cannot say any more on this issue for now.

Secondly, I have instructed my lawyers also to report to the Crown the outrageous decision of some to publish leaked extracts of the Permanent Secretary, Lesley Evans’ findings in the original unlawful investigation. This appears to me to be in clear defiance of Lord Pentland’s ruling in January 2019 which reduced her decisions and the investigation on which those conclusions were based as “unlawful”, “unfair” and “tainted by apparent bias”. Any leaking is in direct contravention of that order and thus undermines the entire purpose and outcome of the successful judicial review. As such it is an attack on the administration of justice itself. The original leak of the existence of the report in August 2018 was considered prima facie criminal by the ICO.

In responding to the allegations against me I have at all times respected the lawful processes and integrity of the Courts. I have trusted in those legal processes. I won two Court cases in the highest courts in the land both civil and criminal, where a judge found in my favour and jury of 9 women and 6 men acquitted me.

There are some who still wish to ignore the considered decisions of judges and the jury who actually heard the evidence and replace them with press smears based on malicious leaks and ludicrous gossip.

That stops now.

I have therefore instructed my legal team to write to the appropriate investigating authorities in order that these matters, including potential criminality, be comprehensively investigated.

Separately, I am also now actively considering afresh the legal remedies available in the civil courts.”

Further information alex@alexsalmond.scot

MY COMMENT

I am delighted to see Alex finally hit back at those who have been consistently smearing him since the criminal trial. He must have had the patience of a saint to have lasted this long. At last the gloves are off. Let’s see where it takes us?