TWO of the SNP’s most senior MPs have hit out at the party after Alex Salmond was cleared of all charges.
Taking to Twitter, the East Lothian MP, Kenny MacAskill wrote: Delighted for Alex Salmond. Some resignations now required.”
When the National asked MacAskill who he wanted to see resign, he replied: “I think they know who they are. I’ll see if they do.”
Joanna Cherry, who, alongside MacAskill, leads for justice in the Commons for the SNP, said some of the evidence used in court against Salmond raised serious question marks over how the complaints against the former First Minister were handled by the party.
In a statement, the Edinburgh MP said: “I am very pleased that Alex Salmond has been acquitted of these charges. Those of us who know him, and indeed many of the thousands of people who have met him over the years, did not recognise the man described in the evidence lead for the crown.
“The Press reporting of such cases must always be done carefully but I am pleased having heard all the evidence, the jury has found him to be innocent of the charges laid.
“This verdict of acquittal is the combination of two very lengthy investigations by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, and two court cases.
“In both cases, Mr Salmond has been vindicated and serious questions now arise about the background to these cases, especially given the considerable sums of public money, which have been expended.
“As a feminist lawyer and former specialist sex crimes prosecutor I fully support the rights of all women who make a complaint of a sexual crime to have their complaint properly investigated.
“However, I also support due process and the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Some of the evidence that has come to light, both in the judicial review and at this trial, raise very serious questions over the process that was employed within the Scottish Government to investigate the alleged complaints against Mr Salmond.
“And I'm sorry to say, some of the evidence also raises serious question marks over how these complaints were handled by the SNP.
“We are presently at a time of great national crisis and dealing with the pandemic must take precedence.
“There should also be an independent inquiry into how the SNP dealt with these allegations and an inquiry into our internal complaints procedure with which many members have expressed significant dissatisfaction.
“I'm sure the complaints manager and chief executive would welcome the opportunity of an independent review to assist them in developing a proper system for the management of complaints and the support of party volunteers, staff, and elected members.
“In the meantime, it goes through saying that Mr Salmond must be allowed to rejoin the party without delay if that is what he wishes to do. And that his place in the party’s history must be restored to the prominence it deserves.”
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