Police launch probe after historic sexual assault allegation made against late Alba leader Alex Salmond

Police Scotland are investigating a historic sexual assault allegation which has been made about the late Alba Party leader Alex Salmond.

Salmond died last month in North Macedonia after suffering a massive heart attack while attending a conference.

His funeral was held earlier this week on Tuesday in his family hometown of Strichen in Aberdeenshire.

On Sunday, Police Scotland confirmed a non-recent sexual assault allegation had been made about the former first minister following his death.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a report of a non-recent sexual assault.

“The information is being assessed.”

Salmond served as first minister under the SNP from 2007 to 2014 and led the party through the independence referendum.

He resigned from the SNP in 2018 when allegations of sexual misconduct emerged.

The following year, he was charged with 14 offences, including two counts of attempted rape. He was acquitted of all charges in March 2020 following a two-week trial.

He successfully took the Scottish Government to court to prove the way civil servants handled complaints against him was tainted with bias, receiving more than £500,000 in legal compensation.

In 2023, he launched a fresh legal bid against the Scottish Government over their handling of abuse allegations towards him.

He had accused Nicola Sturgeon and other senior women in Government of misconduct in public office.

In response to the police probe into the historic sexual assault allegation, an SNP spokesperson said: “SNP disciplinary processes can only be invoked against current SNP members.”

Salmond returned to politics in 2021, becoming leader of the newly formed Alba Party, which also supports Scottish independence.

On Sunday, Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny called for “attacks and smears” on the late politician to cease and to “allow him to rest in peace”.