Nicola Sturgeon is facing a backlash from Alex Salmond allies after suggesting her predecessor may have leaked the story about his own investigation for sexual harassment to the media.
Sturgeon makes the claim in an extract from her memoir, Frankly, denying having leaked the story herself.
Salmond, who passed away suddenly in October 2024, was acquitted of all charges following a trial.
In her book, The TImes reports, Sturgeon says it would have been "classic Alex" to have been behind the leak himself as he was practiced in the "dark arts" of manipulating the media and could have wanted to get in front of the story to control the narrative.
Her comments have sparked anger among supporters of Salmond who are still battling to restore his public image.
The initial government probe into Salmond's alleged conduct was reported in the Daily Record in 2018, leading to frenzied speculation as to who had leaked the story to the press.
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