Salmond Family Pursues Legal Action Amid Sturgeon Memoir Controversy
Published 18 August 2025
Highlights
- Alex Salmond's family is pursuing legal action against the Scottish government, claiming a conspiracy against him.
- Salmond's widow, Moira, has revived his lawsuit seeking £3 million in damages following his death in 2024.
- Nicola Sturgeon's memoir, "Frankly," criticizes Salmond, alleging opposition to gay marriage and involvement in extramarital affairs.
- Christina Hendry, Salmond's niece, accuses Sturgeon of tarnishing Salmond's reputation for memoir publicity.
- Hendry plans to run for the Alba Party in the upcoming Holyrood election, aiming to honor Salmond's legacy.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Salmond Family Pursues Legal Action Amid Sturgeon Memoir Controversy
The family of the late Alex Salmond is determined to continue his legal battle against the Scottish government, alleging a conspiracy against the former First Minister. Salmond's widow, Moira, has reactivated his lawsuit seeking £3 million in damages over the government's mishandling of harassment complaints. Salmond, who passed away in October 2024, had previously won a legal case in 2019, receiving £500,000 in costs after a court ruled the investigation into him was biased.
Memoir Sparks Tensions
The controversy has been further fueled by Nicola Sturgeon's memoir, "Frankly," which paints a critical picture of her predecessor. Sturgeon accuses Salmond of opposing gay marriage and engaging in extramarital affairs, claims that have been met with strong opposition from Salmond's family. Christina Hendry, Salmond's niece, criticized Sturgeon for attacking Salmond's reputation when he is no longer able to defend himself. "If my uncle was here today, these things would not be being said," Hendry stated in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland.
Family's United Front
Hendry emphasized the family's unity in defending Salmond's name and confirmed her intention to run for the Alba Party in the upcoming Holyrood election. The Alba Party, founded by Salmond in 2021 after leaving the SNP, continues to advocate for Scottish independence. "We are very close and we’re very strong and we will continue to do anything we need to do to defend his name," Hendry affirmed.
Government's Response
The Scottish government has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. Sturgeon, in her memoir, also addresses the theory that the harassment allegations were part of a conspiracy by her inner circle, a claim she disputes. She suggests that Salmond himself may have leaked the initial revelations, a theory rejected by the journalist involved.
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Scenario Analysis
The continuation of Alex Salmond's legal battle by his widow could lead to further scrutiny of the Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints. If successful, the lawsuit may result in significant financial compensation and potentially impact public perception of the government's accountability. Politically, the memoir controversy could influence the upcoming Holyrood election, with Christina Hendry's candidacy for the Alba Party potentially drawing attention to unresolved issues within the SNP. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case may also prompt broader discussions on the transparency and fairness of governmental investigations in Scotland.
The family of the late Alex Salmond is determined to continue his legal battle against the Scottish government, alleging a conspiracy against the former First Minister. Salmond's widow, Moira, has reactivated his lawsuit seeking £3 million in damages over the government's mishandling of harassment complaints. Salmond, who passed away in October 2024, had previously won a legal case in 2019, receiving £500,000 in costs after a court ruled the investigation into him was biased.
Memoir Sparks Tensions
The controversy has been further fueled by Nicola Sturgeon's memoir, "Frankly," which paints a critical picture of her predecessor. Sturgeon accuses Salmond of opposing gay marriage and engaging in extramarital affairs, claims that have been met with strong opposition from Salmond's family. Christina Hendry, Salmond's niece, criticized Sturgeon for attacking Salmond's reputation when he is no longer able to defend himself. "If my uncle was here today, these things would not be being said," Hendry stated in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland.
Family's United Front
Hendry emphasized the family's unity in defending Salmond's name and confirmed her intention to run for the Alba Party in the upcoming Holyrood election. The Alba Party, founded by Salmond in 2021 after leaving the SNP, continues to advocate for Scottish independence. "We are very close and we’re very strong and we will continue to do anything we need to do to defend his name," Hendry affirmed.
Government's Response
The Scottish government has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. Sturgeon, in her memoir, also addresses the theory that the harassment allegations were part of a conspiracy by her inner circle, a claim she disputes. She suggests that Salmond himself may have leaked the initial revelations, a theory rejected by the journalist involved.
What this might mean
The continuation of Alex Salmond's legal battle by his widow could lead to further scrutiny of the Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints. If successful, the lawsuit may result in significant financial compensation and potentially impact public perception of the government's accountability. Politically, the memoir controversy could influence the upcoming Holyrood election, with Christina Hendry's candidacy for the Alba Party potentially drawing attention to unresolved issues within the SNP. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case may also prompt broader discussions on the transparency and fairness of governmental investigations in Scotland.
