Alex Salmond’s widow says attacks on him are ‘unfair and disturbing’

Alex Salmond’s widow says comments from those “determined to damage” her late husband’s reputation are unfair and disturbing, and urges critics to “let Alex rest in peace”.

Moira Salmond’s speech follows an interview in which Nicola Sturgeon discussed Mr Salmond’s behaviour.

Ms Sturgeon said she intervened “many times” when her predecessor as first minister and SNP leader was “really harsh with people”.

They were close political allies for years, but their relationship deteriorated and later fell apart completely.

Salmond died suddenly of a heart attack in October in North Macedonia at the age of 69.

Ms Salmond’s statement was sent to the PA news agency by lawyers representing her.

It said: “My late husband, Alex Salmond, died on October 12, 2024.

“His memorial service was held just six weeks ago.

“I and the rest of the family are still grieving.

“Life will never be the same for any of us.

“It is therefore with great sadness for me and the wider family in recent days that I have read comments from people who seem determined to damage his reputation even in death.

“It is difficult for us to understand what motivates these interventions, especially when such comments are made with the knowledge that Alex cannot defend himself, as he surely would.

“Those who attack him must know that the law does not allow us, his family, to protect his reputation from defamation now that he is gone.”

The statement continued: “Attacks by the living on the dead will seem deeply unfair to many.

“My wish and sincere hope is that these attacks will stop.

“I am therefore asking those involved to recognize that everything they are doing is causing pain and pain to his family.

“From now on, please let Alex rest in peace.”

November 30 in the Cathedral of St. A service to celebrate Mr Salmond’s life was held on St. Giles’ Day, attended by 500 guests, including many notable figures from Scottish and British politics.

Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday program ahead of the publication of Ms Salmond’s statement, current First Minister John Swinney was asked about Ms Sturgeon’s comments about Mr Salmond’s behavior in the FT interview.

Swinney said: “I think it’s quite well documented that Alex could be quite energetic with people and we all witnessed that at times.

“And sometimes we all had to say, look, it’s not like that. And that’s exactly what it was like.”