Alba's Kenny MacAskill calls for Alex Salmond public inquiry
"There can be no cover up in Holyrood or in St Andrew's House. We require to know who did what, what was done, if that impacts upon Alex so be it, but I don't believe it does. I believe it will vindicate him because a manifest injustice was done towards him."
Mr MacAskill was among the mourners for the former First Minister after his death last autumn. (Image: PA) In an exclusive interview published earlier today, Mr MacAskill had told The Herald on Sunday:
"I will not forgive the behaviour of Nicola Sturgeon towards Alex Salmond. And indeed, the lies told by others.
'I've been involved with the independence movement for a long time. Even people in the SNP know that there are individuals who have taken actions that are currently under investigation by the authorities relating to Alex.
'Our position is that we will fully support the authorities in doing their job. That is what it has to be. It doesn't mean you give the SNP a blank cheque. I mean, we rightly criticise."
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Speaking to Mr Ponsonby, Mr MacAskill went on to say that he believed the Scottish Government's stance toward Mr Salmond may have contributed to his untimely death.
He said: "There was a political conspiracy to do down Alex Salmond. I have no doubt that was a factor in his early death.
"He wasn't even 70 but what he had to endure. But he was vindicated in the civil courts with the Scottish Government chastised in the highest court in our land and in the criminal court a jury of his peers exculpated him."
Mr Salmond, 69, died last October while at a conference in North Macedonia.
He had bitterly fallen with former SNP colleagues, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, after allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled in 2018.
Mr Salmond was later cleared of 13 charges in a High Court criminal case in March 2020.
A bitter leadership contest between Mr MacAskill and Alba's only MSP Ash Regan resulted in the former being selected for the top spot in March.
Speaking to the Herald on Sunday. Mr MacAskill said: 'It's been a testing occasion for us all. Alex's death was tragic back in October, and now we have had to stabilise the ship.
'It was obviously not simply a loss in terms of the political leadership and the inspiration he gave, but he was a personal friend.'
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