i find this a very difficult one, having known Alex and his lovely wife Moira for around 40 years. I have had many a big hug from him with never a hint of anything untoward. I have many female friends who are active in the SNP and had never heard the slightest whiff of any impropriety surrounding him and believe me these are all strong, feminist women who would have called him out for misbehaviour regardless of whether he was just an ordinary member or First Minister.
However my instinct is always to believe the victim of any form of abuse, although my credulity was stretched to the limit when reading the statement from a senior civil servant that AS had 'ordered' her to lie on his bed and wait for him and she did, when she could easily have left with the others.
I also question the timing of the original allegations and the current headlines as it seems more than coincidental that they should appear in the middle of an election. I think we all have to wait and see the outcome of the trial before jumping to any conclusion.
???????