Police have launched an investigation into a historic sexual assault allegation made against Alba leader Alex Salmond

Police Scotland is investigating a historic sexual assault allegation made against deceased Alba Party leader Alex Salmond.

Salmond died last month in North Macedonia after suffering a massive heart attack while attending a conference.

His funeral took place earlier this week on Tuesday in his home town of Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

On Sunday, Police Scotland confirmed a recent allegation of sexual assault had been made against the former First Minister.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a report of a recent sexual assault.

“Information is being evaluated.”

Salmond was first minister of the SNP from 2007 to 2014 and led the party through the independence referendum.

He resigned from the SNP in 2018 after sexual harassment allegations surfaced.

The following year, he was charged with 14 charges, including two counts of attempted rape. In March 2020, after a two-week trial, he was acquitted of all charges.

He successfully took the Scottish Government to court to prove that the way civil servants dealt with complaints against him was tainted by bias, resulting in him receiving over £500,000 in compensation.

In 2023, he launched a new legal complaint against the Scottish Government over the harassment allegations made against him.

He accused Nicola Sturgeon and other women in senior government positions of misconduct in public office.

In response to a police investigation into a historic sexual assault allegation, an SNP spokesman said: “SNP disciplinary procedures can only be initiated against current SNP members.”

Salmond returned to politics in 2021, becoming leader of the newly formed Alba Party, which also supports Scottish independence.

The Alba party has been contacted for comment.

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