Alex Salmond resigns from SNP and launches crowdfunder for his legal case

Former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond has resigned from the party while he challenges the Scottish Government in court over allegations of sexual harassment.

The senior politician said the move was to avoid splits in the party amid calls for him to be suspended but promised to reapply for membership “as soon as I have had the opportunity to clear my name”.

He also launched a crowdfunder to help with his legal case against the Scottish Government which raised its target with a few hours.

In a video posted on social media, Salmond said: "I truly love the SNP and the wider independence movement in Scotland. They have been the defining commitment of my life. But today I have written to the National Secretary of the party resigning my membership.

"I did not come into politics to facilitate opposition attacks on the SNP and with Parliament returning next week, I have tendered resignation to remove this line of opposition attack.

"Most of all I am conscious that if the party felt forced to suspend me, it would cause substantial internal division."

On twitter, his successor as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the decision to resign from the party had been his, but that she understood why Salmond had “chosen to separate the current questions he is facing from the day to day business of the SNP and the ongoing campaign for independence”.

She said the process was difficult for her and the party but that “the hard fact remains that two complaints were received by the Scottish Government that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.”

Scottish Labour Business Manager and Women’s Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant, said: “That an independently wealthy man with his celebrity and political power is to raise legal fees through a crowdfunder for a case ultimately linked to sexual harassment is unbelievable.”

Two women lodged complaints in January dating back to 2013, following the introduction of a new complaints procedure designed to support women in light of wider concerns brought about by the Harvey Weinstein revelations and the #metoo movement.

Salmond’s legal action challenges this new procedure, although he also refutes the allegations.