What's happened
Police Scotland is investigating a new sexual assault allegation against former first minister Alex Salmond, reported shortly after his death on October 12. This follows previous complaints made to the SNP about his behavior, raising questions about the party's handling of such allegations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Scotsman reported that Police Scotland is assessing a non-recent sexual assault allegation against Salmond, highlighting that up to six women had previously approached the SNP with complaints. The Independent noted that Salmond had been cleared of all charges in 2020 but faced ongoing scrutiny. The Guardian emphasized the political fallout from these allegations, particularly regarding the SNP's internal processes and Salmond's legacy. Each source presents a slightly different angle, with The Scotsman focusing on the investigation, The Independent on Salmond's past, and The Guardian on the broader political implications.
How we got here
Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland and leader of the Alba Party, faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to his resignation from the SNP in 2018. He was acquitted of 14 charges in 2020. Following his death, new allegations have emerged.
Common question
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What Are the New Allegations Against Alex Salmond?
Following the recent death of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, new allegations of sexual assault have emerged, prompting an investigation by Police Scotland. This situation raises significant questions about the handling of such allegations within the SNP and the implications for the party's reputation. Here’s what you need to know.
More on these topics
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Police Scotland, legally named the Police Service of Scotland, is the national police force of Scotland. It was formed in 2013 with the merger of eight regional police forces in Scotland, as well as the specialist services of the Scottish Police Services
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Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond is a Scottish politician who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party for over 20 years, serving two terms, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
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The Alba Party is a Scottish nationalist and pro-independence political party in Scotland. The party was founded by the retired television producer Laurie Flynn, with the former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond taking over as leader.
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Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician serving as the fifth First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party since November 2014. She is the first woman to hold either position.
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North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It gained its independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Yugoslavia.
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.