ALEX Salmond's defence lawyer Gordon Jackson has referred himself to a body which deals with complaints against lawyers after video footage emerged showing him naming female complainants in his client's trial.
The former Labour MSP can be seen sitting on a train in a video obtained by a newspaper, where he refers to one of the women as a "flake".
In a statement released through the Faculty of Advocates, Jackson, QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates: “I have decided that the proper course of action is to self-refer this matter to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, and that has been done. It will be for the Commission to consider this matter.
"To be clear, however, I do not regard Alex Salmond as a ‘sex pest’, and any contrary impression is wrong. I also deeply regret the distress and difficulties which have been caused, but given the reference to the SLCC it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Roddy Dunlop, QC, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: "The Faculty takes this matter extremely seriously. It plainly warrants investigation, but as the Dean has self-referred to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, it would not be appropriate for the Faculty to comment further.”
The former First Minister was acquitted of sexual offences against nine women last week following a two week trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
In footage obtained by the Sunday Times, within earshot of other passengers, Jackson named two of the nine complainants during a conversation with another passenger.
He said of one witness: “See, we thought that eventually, people might think she’s a flake and not like her.”
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