A WOMAN has told a jury that trying to stop Alex Salmond from indecently assaulting her was like "wrestling with an octopus".
The civil servant in the Scottish Government said the former first minister grabbed her in Bute House following a discussion about an "inappropriate" Christmas card, featuring an image of a man and woman about to kiss.
"He immediately just said, 'let's create the pose on the Christmas card'," the complainer, known as Woman B, told the High Court in Edinburgh.
"He grabbed my wrists and pulled me towards him, and I was just shocked," she continued. "I used my hands to try to get him off."
The woman said she did not succeed, adding: "It felt like every time I managed to get a hand off another hand would appear. He was very persistent and it felt like I was wrestling with an octopus. I felt like there was always another hand."
READ MORE: The Alex Salmond trial and the dangers of writing about it
Woman B said she said or did nothing to give the impression she wanted it to happen and did not consent.
"I felt quite alarmed, I wanted it to stop," she said. "I didn't say anything. I was trying to get his hands off me, but I couldn't get my voice."
She told the jury the alleged assault ended when a colleague came to the door.
Woman B said she spoke to her line manager about the incident but added: "I didn't think there was really an option to take things further at that time within the Scottish Government because of the relationship between the civil service and the first minister.
"I felt that if I had complained formally, then I would be the problem and I would be moved, and I had worked really hard."
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 hereComments are closed on this article