Alex Salmond’s widow says comments from those “determined to damage” her late husband’s reputation are unfair and distressing.
Moira Salmond has urged critics to “let Alex rest in peace”. Her intervention comes following an interview in which Nicola Sturgeon discussed Alex Salmond’s behaviour.
Sturgeon said she stepped in “many times” when her predecessor as first minister and SNP leader had been “really rough on people”.
The pair were close political allies for years but their relationship soured and later broke down completely. Salmond died suddenly of a heart attack in October in North Macedonia at the age of 69.
A statement from Moira Salmond was sent to the PA news agency by lawyers representing her. It said: “My late husband, Alex Salmond, died on October 12 2024. His memorial service was only six weeks ago. I, and the rest of the family, continue to grieve. Life will never be the same for any of us.
“In recent days, it has therefore caused me and the wider family great distress to read the comments of those who seem determined to damage his reputation even in death.
“It is difficult for us to understand what motivates those interventions, especially when such comments are made in the knowledge that Alex cannot defend himself as he would certainly have done.
“Those attacking him must know that the law does not allow us, his family, to protect his reputation from being defamed now that he is gone.”
The statement continued: “Attacks by the living on the dead will seem to many as deeply unfair. My wish, and sincere hope, is that these attacks will now stop. I am therefore asking those involved to recognise that all they are doing is causing hurt and pain to his family. From this point on, please let Alex rest in peace.”
A service was held at St Giles’ Cathedral on November 30 to remember the life of Salmond, with 500 guests attending including many significant figures from Scottish and UK politics.
Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday Show before the publication of Moira Salmond’s statement, current First Minister John Swinney was asked about Sturgeon’s comments on Salmond’s behaviour in the FT interview.
Swinney said: “I think it’s pretty well documented that Alex could be quite brisk with people and sometimes we all witnessed that. And sometimes we all had to say look, that’s not on. And that’s the way it was.”
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