Alex Salmond: Sturgeon told to address '˜conspiracy theories' with SNP politicians

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been told to use a meeting of SNP parliamentarians to stamp out conspiracy theories about allegations of misconduct levelled at her predecessor Alex Salmond.

Ms Sturgeon is set to address a meeting of her MPs and MSPs tomorrow for the first time since allegations emerged about Mr Salmond’s behaviour.

The former First Minister is in the process of taking the Scottish Government to court over its handling of a pair of complaints made this year about Mr Salmond.

She has been urged by rival parties to use the ‘Away Day’ in Edinburgh to stop SNP politicians from sharing conspiracy theories being disseminated on social media suggesting the allegations against Mr Salmond are a unionist plot.

Nicola Sturgeon with Alex Salmond. Picture: PA Wire

MSP Richard Lyle retweeted a claim on Friday which said: “The attacks on Yes Facebook pages, Independence supporting blogs and Alex Salmond are not unconnected - The British State is terrified Scotland ends the 1707 union.”

Outspoken MP Angus Macneil, meanwhile has retweeted several contentious statements and has shared details of Mr Salmond’s crowdfunding effort to help pay his legal bills.

The Western Isles MP shared a tweet which said ‘I’m backing Alex Salmond’ and suggested the British establishment was behind the accusation.

He also retweeted a Twitter user who said: “I’m not using the term ‘Scottish Government’ until its clarified who is in charge - Leslie Evans (the civil servant who investigated the claims) or Nicola Sturgeon.”

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant told the Herald: “A clear message should go to SNP parliamentarians that sharing and propagating conspiracy theories around the Alex Salmond case is harmful for all involved.

“The First Minister has clearly stated that sexual harassment will not be tolerated and victims should come forward - however there are members of her party indulging in victim blaming which is totally unacceptable.”

A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “Nicola Sturgeon will no doubt feel obliged to answer the many questions her MSPs and MPs will have about what her government knew about such allegations, and when.

“It’s therefore vitally important she is equally transparent with the people of Scotland, who deserve and expect answers about this very serious matter.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “The SNP will keep a firm focus on how to build a fairer, more prosperous country, how we hold a dangerous, Brexit-obsessed Tory party to account at Westminster and how we drive Scotland towards independence.