Salmond was cleared of serious sexual offense charges following a trial in 2020.

He was accused of 13 offenses, including attempted rape, but was acquitted of all charges after two weeks of testimony at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The women who made allegations against Salmond (dating from his time as first minister) included an SNP politician, a party worker and several current and former Scottish government civil servants and officials.

In his statement to the court, Salmond said allegations about his alleged behavior were “deliberate fabrications” or “exaggerations” for political purpose.

Salmond’s lawyer told the court the former prime minister “certainly could have been a better man” but had not committed any offence.

He said his client was sometimes abusive and described him as “touchy-feely.”

Two subsequent investigations into the behavior of ministers and officials found Salmond suggested he believed many in his former party were plotting against him to prevent his return to frontline politics.