Sturgeon -v- Salmond. This is going to be very interesting. Is the SNP finished? And what impact on the Scots regarding Indy2? ?

Also ... it sounds consensual Alegrias? Can’t imagine having a sleep cuddle with Himself and then saying it was inappropriate behaviour ...

Fair comment Aveline.
It was just a generalisation really. Plus it was a good sound bite.
?

What Nicola said: “The behaviour complained of was found by a jury not to constitute criminal conduct and Alex Salmond is innocent of criminality, but that doesn’t mean that the behaviour they complained of didn’t happen and I think it’s important that we don’t lose sight of that.”

Information about the court case from the BBC website:
Mr Salmond admitted to having a "sleepy cuddle" with one complainer, and what Mr Jackson (lawyer) called "a bit of how's your father" with another - both members of his staff far younger than he, and neither of them his wife.

The defence also never really attempted to dispel the slightly raucous image of Bute House drawn by the prosecution, of exotic liquors being poured late at night after celebrity dinners and staff being invited to do paperwork in the bedroom.

In other words, what Alex may or may not have done wasn't illegal. Doesn't mean he didn't do it.

But I don't hate the EU!

Actually -

“Love Scotland, hate the SNP. Love Europe, hate the EU.”

Seems to be a recurring theme.

I agree Aveline ... I thought Nicola would have had more sense than to mention the jury’s findings... she seemed a bit rattled ... very unlike her .

Salmond's point is that he's been through two courts, civil and criminal and wasn't found guilty. What is worrying is all the cover ups and unnecessary blocking and defying of parliamentary votes to produce the papers. The memory stick with the police info re the search for people who might want to complain about him should be interesting. I gather it also contains the 'Vietnam' WhatsApp group texts. Really dodgy dealings. It all still stinks.
Nicola casting doubt on the jury's findings on national TV was exceptionally stupid. She must be kicking herself.

It will be interesting to see how Nicola Sturgeon plays it next week at the enquiry. Don’t think it’s good enough for her to say she knew nothing about the complaints against Salmond until April 2018 as this could make her look incompetent and is maybe unbelievable.... however this is what she still claims . This why Salmond wants more evidence released. She is riding high in the polls and is very popular ... wonder if some people are having doubts about her integrity now . She always seemed strong and reliable until now.

Marydoll Your thoughts chime with mine. Those women that complained have been abandoned, it seems. He does not look like an innocent man to me. I think he has played the game of politics over this affair like a master, he has carefully kept his mouth shut for months, and then the "will he, won't he" attend the committee meeting, has built up the expectation of mayhem. His performance when he has now appeared looked staged and rehearsed to me. I have never voted SNP and have never wanted separation. However I am very tempted to vote for them this time round if only to show my support for Nicola Sturgeon who has been a consummate leader through the pandemic. There are a lot of things to be tackled here in Scotland, than can only be done from a Scottish centre. I think English voters could do worse than think about regional governance.

That’s true enough FarNorth but it will make other voters think twice about voting for independence perhaps.

I don't think that's going to happen UG.
People support independence and that's bigger than individual personalities.
The 'core support' will not be giving up on independence because of some individuals' actions.

I suspect its more of a series of cock ups/getting responses wrong rather than an actual campaign to get rid of him.
However, his smoking gun, the suggestion that the committee ask his lawyers for the information they hold is interesting.

It seems to me that Salmond was looking to come out of retirement again which was the catalyst as the top officials of the SNP, including NS, do not want him back so “preventive” measures were taken which have backfired.

I’ve been following with interest, as I think there are lots of lessons here about governance for all the devolved governments, not just for Scotland, and it should ultimately make for a system with all the checks and balances in place so it doesn’t happen again. I hope Welsh Government are watching closely.

One thing that isn’t clear to me is why it happening now, is it just coincidence that it’s only two months before the elections because of delays in process, or has that been orchestrated in some way?

Another post in support of Marydoll.

His closing statement about the committee asking his legal team for the evidence was a masterstroke. If they don't, it looks like a cover up. He reminded them it was within their legal powers to do so.

In the Guardian just now -

“The SNP’s fear must now be that its core support chooses to stay at home, and voter apathy becomes the independence movement’s principal enemy.”

Brilliant interview on Ch4 news just now with Ruth Davidson where the point was raised at the last minute that Johnson was the SNP’s greatest weapon. Ruth was struggling not to laugh as it’s no secret that she really dislikes Johnson. It was a wonderful gotcha moment and she knew it! Great stuff.

Aveline

He did very well and it must have been very stressful. Against my will I was impressed by his testimony. Maybe its a relief to have his say. I bet he'll be having a wee glass of whisky with his supporters now.

I watched it too, he was very convincing and gave a good account of himself to the committee.It doesn’t look good for
Sturgeon I must say.
He kept very calm under fire and was determined to have as much evidence as is ‘allowed’ brought into the light.

Hard for her to answer the points made in the statement from Salmond. He had dates and names and was very well prepared.
A week is a long time in politics...

And Nicola Sturgeon and her legal team have the weekend to replay today’s proceedings and prepare for their presentation next Wednesday. The advantages of going into bat second!

One of them is lying. Be interesting to see which one.

He did very well and it must have been very stressful. Against my will I was impressed by his testimony. Maybe its a relief to have his say. I bet he'll be having a wee glass of whisky with his supporters now.

He has convinced me. His testimony is on point - and I think the committee knows it, regardless of their political affiliations.

Alex Salmond is doing very well in his account. Very measured this afternoon.

Nicola Sturgeon next Wednesday.