FORMER first minister Alex Salmond has said personal differences with Nicola Sturgeon are insignificant compared to the “national cause” of Scotland becoming independent.
Speaking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on Thursday, Salmond revealed he would not let their “personal difficulties” stand in the way of any independence campaign.
“They’re insignificant compared to the national cause of Scotland becoming independent, to which I and Nicola Sturgeon have devoted our lives,” he said.
READ MORE: Scottish independence: Nicola Sturgeon's government publishes 'scene setter'
“So I don’t think you would find any personal difficulties coming in the way of something which is much bigger, much greater than any two individuals.”
Salmond parted ways with the party he had led for a total 20 years in 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Salmond was charged with 14 offences including attempted rape and sexual assault the following year.
After a high-profile trial in 2020, Salmond was acquitted of all charges.
During Rigby’s interview, he was pressed on whether or not the allegations politically damaged him and whether he acknowledged his behaviour to women was sometimes inappropriate.
Salmond said the situation would not stand in the way of an independence campaign.
“It’s not going to get in the way of an independence campaign. I will contribute wholeheartedly, full scale to the independence campaign. That’s what the party is formed to do.”
The former first minister, who led the SNP to the first ever majority in the Scottish parliament in 2011, now heads the Alba party which he formed in early 2021.
Alba have consistently called on the SNP to take stronger action in securing Scottish independence. Salmond said the independence movement had been waiting a considerable time for action.
READ MORE: Second independence white paper in summer 'not to be ruled out'
He told Rigby: “Like many people in the national movement, I’m just pleased that the starting gun has eventually been fired because they’ve waited on it for some considerable time.”
Salmond believes now is the right time to seek a second vote on Scottish independence due to Boris Johnson “resembling the stag at bay”.
“I think it’s an open question if Boris Johnson will even be prime minister by the autumn,” he said.
“Therefore, this seems to be a very good time to exert the political and democratic pressure.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel