Police are investigating a fresh allegation of sexual assault against Alex Salmond.
A woman reported the historical alleged incident to Police Scotland after the former first minister died while attending a conference in North Macedonia last month.
And it can also be revealed a group of five or six women complained to SNP bosses in 2022 about Salmond’s alleged behaviour but it is claimed they did not take action as he was no longer a member.
This was two years after Salmond, 69, was cleared of a sexual assault allegations made by a number of different women.
Police Scotland have confirmed they have received a complaint from one woman but it is understood none of the separate group who complained to the SNP have approached officers.
The complaints from the group about Salmond were of a sexual nature and are claimed to have been reported to Ian McCann, the party’s compliance officer, who was responsible for disciplinary issues.
The SNP’s then-chief executive, Peter Murrell is also claimed to have been aware, sources said.
One of them included a female politician who claimed she was groped by the former first minister at a photoshoot.
Asked about what was done, an SNP spokesperson said: “SNP disciplinary processes can only be invoked against current SNP members.” The SNP is bracing itself for more women emerging claiming to have been victims.
Allegations made about Salmond’s behaviour towards women is said to date back almost 40 years.
It is claimed those closest to the leader often warned young female MSPs and MPs, party workers and civil servants not to allow themselves to be alone with him.
An insider said: “Around two years ago five or six complaints of inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature were reported to the party. The allegations date as far back as the 1980s, including in Alex’s Banff and Buchan constituency. They were generally interpreted as being of a ‘less serious nature’, which may be why it was decided not to report them to the police.
“As Alex was no longer a party member, or an employee of the party – and therefore no longer subject to its disciplinary procedures – it was felt that there was nowhere for an internal investigation to go.”
Salmond walked free from the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020 after a jury found him not guilty of 12 charges of attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. Another verdict of not proven was delivered on one charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.
A source close to the party said before the trial, a complaint was made by the female politician who claimed that he groped her while they were posing for a photoshoot but didn’t go to the police as she didn’t want to prejudice the trial.
Salmond’s solicitor was approached for comment on the latest claim.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received a report of a non-recent sexual assault. The information is being assessed.”
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