I AM reluctant to step into the arguments between Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon but I am genuinely perplexed by Mr Salmond’s ongoing criticisms of his successor.
I don’t know him personally so all I have available to me – like many other neutrals in this sad conflict – to help understand the motivation for his actions is what I read, or hear, from the media (but not Twitter, I should add).
So, can someone explain what is driving him to continue his attacks and criticisms of our First Minister when we are only weeks away from an important Holyrood election?
The sexual harassment accusations against him were disposed of in court and he won his case against the Scottish Government and was awarded a substantial sum to cover his legal costs, so why continue the attacks? What more does he hope to gain and why?
READ MORE: Alex Salmond announces intent to take top Scottish Government official to court
Like many ordinary members of the SNP I had great respect for where he took us in 2014, but that respect is wearing very, very thin now. For any neutral observer of his actions, the conclusion that he has lost sight of the objective we all seek – that of an independent Scotland – and is apparently unconcerned by the harm he is doing to achieving that aim by continuing to sustain this painfully embarrassing dispute is only too clear.
It is either that or accept the criticism that many of his detractors have levelled at the man of simply being another political narcissist. Regrettably, having read your paper’s reports of the Alastair Campbell diaries I too am now finding it difficult to avoid the narcissistic implications of some of the episodes recently mentioned.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon seizes on 'Tory divisions' over SNP attack strategy on Alex Salmond case
I am genuinely at a complete loss to understanding what Mr Salmond’s objectives now are, but if the result of the forthcoming Holyrood election is compromised to the extent of undermining the ability of the new Scottish Government to force Westminster to accept the right of another referendum on independence, then I’m afraid Mr Salmond will have to accept much of the blame for that outcome.
In the process he will have lost my respect, and that of many others I’m sure, as a consequence of being seen not to have put the good of our country before his own ego.
John Curren
Edinburgh
I WONDER what Alex Salmond is thinking at this moment? Is it the end for him or can he find a way back ? At the moment it looks like his days are over politically; yet he must take stock.
He has been a pawn in the hands of the Unionists, surely he can see that! How can he ever look back on this and not shudder at how he was unwittingly used by the nasties in the Unionist den?
They were out to get him just waiting for the guilty verdict, which never came. Can he find a way back to the SNP? If not, he must stand up for indy2 and an end to this Union which is aiming to subjugate Scotland as never before.
No doubt there will be others with mixed feelings and a sense of inner outrage at how indy-folk in some quarters had reacted. We must now stand together and see the true enemy at the gate!
John Edgar
Kilmaurs
Well, that’s any pretence that he was in favour of regained Scottish independence blown out the water (Alex Salmond announces intent to take top Scottish Government official to court, thenational.scot, March 24).
Who is bankrolling him now?
Walter Barrie
via thenational.scot
Would some friend have a quiet word with him and advise him to retire from the public limelight and put his feet up, rather than continue to trash his own reputation? This is embarrassing – not for Scotland, but for him.
Peter Piper
via thenational.scot
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