ALEX Salmond’s lawyer believes he was the subject of a “deliberate set-up” after he was filmed on a train discussing private details of the recent sexual assault case.
Gordon Jackson QC referred himself to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) after he was caught on camera making remarks during the course of the trial, which finished at the High Court in Edinburgh on March 23 with Salmond being acquitted of all charges.
The video, in which he seems to name two of the accusers despite court orders not to do so, was later obtained by The Sunday Times newspaper. After its publication Jackson announced he would step down as dean of the Faculty of Advocates at the end of June.
Now, in an email sent to all members faculty, the QC suggests he was the victim of a plot.
The email, seen by the Times, reads: “It is as yet far from clear what happened on the train. I strongly suspect this was a deliberate set-up but for now it is not clear what was actually said and to whom and in what circumstances.
“I very much hope this will be established in due course.”
READ MORE: Alex Salmond's lawyer to resign as dean of Faculty of Advocates
Salmond was acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape, following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts on 12 charges and returned a not proven verdict on a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.
Yesterday, Jackson told the Times that could not remember the conversation on the train, or who it was with, adding: “I know I wasn’t drunk.”
He said he had been talking about Salmond’s trial but that “wouldn’t be that abnormal”.
Jackson added: “I wasn’t speaking to a stranger on a train but I don’t know who it was. I can’t remember the conversation.
“I’m clearly talking to someone I knew and who knew me but they have never come forward. If it was a pal you would expect them to say, ‘That was me’.”
The QC continued: “I could have been unlucky and it could just have been someone [on the train] but you’d think they would take it to a tabloid, not The Sunday Times. Maybe I’m clutching at straws but I think there’s more to it.”
The SLCC investigation into the incident, which will decide whether Jackson breached disciplinary rules, could last up to six months.
SNP MP Kenny MacAskill, writing in the latest Scottish Left Review, said it seemed the lawyer’s “real crime” was representing Salmond.
The East Lothian representative, who served as justice secretary under Salmond, wrote: “It certainly seems that, as well as the poison and prejudice of a few, there were other ‘dark forces’ operating.”
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