Salmond's Family Claims Sturgeon Exploited Smears Against Him

A Family's Response to a Memoir and Allegations

Alex Salmond’s family has expressed strong disapproval of Nicola Sturgeon’s recent memoir, claiming that it is an attempt to "cash in" on personal attacks against the late former first minister. Christina Hendry, who is Salmond’s niece, criticized the content of the book, describing the claims made about him as “cruel” and “distasteful.” The memoir, titled Frankly, includes allegations that Salmond may have been involved in leaking information to a tabloid newspaper regarding an investigation into his sexual misconduct.

Sturgeon suggested that the 2018 leak, which revealed the Scottish government’s investigation into these claims, was characteristic of Salmond’s tactics. She argued that this would have allowed him to control the media narrative and portray himself as the victim of underhand dealings. In response to Salmond’s claim of a conspiracy to imprison him, she called it a fabrication, suggesting it was the work of a man unwilling to reflect honestly on his actions.

She further accused Salmond of trying to “distort and weaponise” genuine trauma, calling it “truly disgraceful.” Sturgeon also mentioned that the alleged conspirators were women who felt they were victims of his behavior and were seeking support from each other. Her comments highlighted her difficulty in forgiving him.

Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual assault charges in a separate criminal trial in 2020. However, his lawyer admitted that his client could “have been a better man.” The memoir also included claims that Salmond had not read the White Paper on independence for the 2014 referendum, which outlined the case for Scotland leaving the UK.

Hendry accused Sturgeon of “cowardice,” stating that she would not have made such claims while her uncle was still alive. She argued that Sturgeon was using his name for relevance and to promote her book for financial gain. The 30-year-old also criticized Sturgeon for disregarding the feelings of the family, especially Moira, Salmond’s widow.

The family broke their silence on the memoir as it emerged that Mrs. Salmond is reactivating legal action against the SNP government. This case, which Salmond initiated before his death last October at age 69, involves the Scottish Government’s handling of the sexual misconduct investigation. The Sunday Mail reported that a KC, two junior counsel, and a lead investigator have been appointed for the case.

Salmond had claimed there was a conspiracy among senior SNP figures around Sturgeon to imprison him, a claim she has vigorously denied. At the time of his death, he was seeking “significant damages” and compensation for loss of earnings from the Scottish Government, totaling a reported £3 million.

A family friend told the Sunday Mail that the legal team is in place, and the case is moving forward without hesitation. Despite Salmond’s absence, the family remains determined to stand up to those who continue to attack him.

An Element of Cowardice

Hendry expressed her frustration with the situation, telling the Scottish Sun that she finds the whole ordeal distasteful. She believes that Sturgeon should not have to go through this, nor should any member of the family. She described the timing of the book’s release as suspicious, noting that it seems like a coincidence that Sturgeon chose this moment to sell her book.

When asked if she believed Sturgeon was cashing in on her conflict with Salmond, Hendry replied affirmatively. She couldn’t see any other reason for the timing of the book’s release.

Salmond won a judicial review in 2019 after a previous court case found that the Scottish Government’s investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against him was handled unlawfully and “tainted with apparent bias.” The Scottish Government only conceded the case at the last minute, resulting in Salmond receiving £512,250 in taxpayers’ money to cover his legal costs.

Sturgeon has declined to comment on the family’s complaints or the renewed legal action. The Scottish Government stated it is not appropriate to comment on live litigation.