FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond today defended his decision to launch a Crowdfunder appeal to raise money to cover his legal costs as he takes the Scottish Government to court over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Less than 24 hours after he launched the appeal it exceeded its initial £50,000 target and last night was heading towards £90,000.

The move caused some disquiet within the SNP with one senior figure telling The National: “This is the worst crisis we have faced since Megrahi.”

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But Ian Blackford insisted yesterday the party was “pretty united”.

The controversy raged as party parliamentarians prepared to meet for their annual away-day meeting at Napier University in Edinburgh.

One veteran SNP politician told The National: “I’m 100% behind Alex. People think I’ve got inside information, but I know the same as everybody else.

“The legislation is there, it’s got to be implemented and people have to be protected, but we need an investigation into how this was leaked out because that is damaging to everybody. Whoever has done this has also done it to the women involved.”

Praising Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of the situation, one serving MSP added: “It’s a huge blow to her – she’s known him since she was 16.”

On the meeting today, another elected member said: “I think it’ll be raised, but it’ll be closed down very quickly – this could be a court case.

“When we get to conference, we can control the agenda, but we can’t control all the individuals. There will be people who want to raise it. That is going to be difficult.

“We’re going back to Holyrood on Tuesday and this is going to dominate. The behaviour from the opposition is going to get worse. I have seen better behaviour from school kids.”

As news of Salmond’s crowdfunder spread on Wednesday night, some prominent users on Scottish Twitter circulated alternative causes seeking cash.

Labour MP Danielle Rowley, sent out a link to an account for Women’s Aid, saying: “Instead of donating to a rich and powerful man, I have a better idea.”

Nicola Sturgeon was amongst those to encourage users to support a bid by that organisation to fund a legal challenge against the so-called rape clause.

The SNP’s group leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, said there was “tremendous sadness for the situation that we are in”, but dismissed suggestions that Salmond’s resignation from the SNP could split the party.

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“We are talking about, in some respects a family when you talk about the SNP. My over-riding emotion is one of great sadness.

“This is a party, this a movement, that is pretty united. I am not getting messages from people suggesting that there is civil war within the SNP, far from it.

“What we have said is that we cannot treat anybody, whoever they are, any differently from how we would treat an ordinary party member.”

He added: “What Alex has done in terms of the crowdfunding is his responsibility. I hope that what we don’t do is conflate what has happened in this case as any kind of signal that should be taken as a negative one towards women coming forward raising what are legitimate issues.

“In amongst all of this we need to make sure that the interests of the victim are absolutely paramount.”

Strong support for the former First Minister was evident on his crowdfunding page, where among almost 2000 comments, Judith Reid wrote: “I send a mere token of my eternal debt for your support, loyalty and patriotism towards our beloved Scotland. Alex I stand by you. To fight unfair process and to ensure equalities and human rights are adhered to throughout your plight.”

Another contributor, who signed as A W, added: “I did not support Scotland’s separation from the UK and I do not support SNP in general but I admire your strength and devotion to a cause over the course of so many years. It is not fair to have a lifetime of dedication put into trial because of something so silly between absolutely capable adults.”

A spokesperson for Salmond told The National: “The Unionist MPs and MSPs have no business attacking ordinary Scots who have the right to donate to whatever they please.

“They should also be aware that Alex is being supported by people of all political persuasions who just want to see fairness.

“The costs of a Court of Session Action on Judicial Review have been estimated by some experts at over £150,000.

“The crowdfunder was designed to make a contribution to this and it shall remain open as long as people wish to support it.

“All funds are used exclusively for the Judicial Review and any surplus will be distributed to good causes in Scotland and beyond. That will certainly be the case if, as we believe, Alex is successful.

“Alex is buoyed and grateful for all expressions of support and for the overwhelming response to the crowd funder.”