Liz lloyd informed salmond s former chief of staff, geoff aberdein, in late march last year that she thought civil servants had received an official complaint over the former first. Geoff aberdein, who served as mr salmonds chief of staff during his time in office, has revealed he met ms sturgeons. Salmond s successor as scotlands first minister and snp leader, nicola sturgeon, said she would have advised against his decision to broadcast for the channel. Bbc news uk politics hoon rejects iraq death anger. May, 2016 geoff aberdein, the former chief of staff to exfirst minister alex salmond, lifelong dons fan and head of european public affairs at aberdeen asset management has had his say on plans for. Geoff aberdein, formerly salmond s chief of staff, told the jury he met the complainant and the current first minister in sturgeons office in the scottish parliament on 29 march 2018. Mar 16, 2020 bbc scotland is reporting that the civil service took steps to prevent women having to work alone with alex salmond at night, his trial has been told. Alexs local charity the mary salmond trust has raised almost. Geoff aberdein, who was mr salmonds chief of staff from 2011 to 2014, was giving evidence at the high court in edinburgh in the trial of the. Aug, 2017 when the former first minister of scotland and now exmp alex salmond announced this lastminute fringe run, it sold out faster than you can say independence in europe. Geoffrey salmond was born the son of major general sir william salmond and emma mary salmond nee hoyle. Alex salmonds former top aide has urged nicola sturgeon to hold a prompt independence referendum before the snps popularity wanes and it cannot win a vote on it at holyrood. With a series of inquiries in the pipeline, what is going to come next.
Giving evidence on the second day of salmonds defence case, aberdein told the court he had two meetings with a complainant in early march. In the wings was geoff aberdein, salmonds chief of staff, who watched in despair as his boss floundered. Alex salmonds new book has been labelled the longest exercise in literary masturbation since politics began in a blistering attack by paddy ashdown. Sturgeons chief of staff suspected salmond complaint before. Nicola sturgeon facing scrutiny over secret meeting with. Geoff aberdein a skilled amateur footballer with edinburghbased club spartans, was only 24 when he joined mr salmonds operation and became known. The show is produced by slainte media, a production company coowned by salmond and former snp mp tasmina. But of course a book, even a political one, isnt like writing a speech or policy paper. Salmond had high standards, did not mince his words but welcomed people giving the same back to him. Bbc scotland is reporting that the civil service took steps to prevent women having to work alone with alex salmond at night, his trial has been told. Salmonds former chiefofstaff, geoff aberdein, also gave evidence during yesterdays hearing.
Nov 05, 2004 mr salmond said the troops move had clearly been politicallymotivated and linked to the american presidential elections. Mar 24, 2020 geoff aberdein leaves the high court in edinburgh after giving evidence in trial of alex salmond image. Next defence witness is geoff aberdein, who worked for alex salmond. Salmond suffered another partridge moment when he took part in a television debate on scottish independence with former labour chancellor alistair darling. Yes campaign needs to improve argument for independence. Geoff aberdein, former chief ofstaff to alex salmond and now head of european public affairs for aberdeen asset management, looks at the current form of our political leaders ahead of the. Mar 24, 2020 alex salmond has walked free from court what happens next. Alex salmond made history by becoming first minister in a majority scottish government and, after all the decades of frustration, false starts and infighting, a referendum was now on the table. Holyrood to hold internal inquiry into salmond complaints.
Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond row. Sep 16, 2014 geoff aberdein a skilled amateur footballer with edinburghbased club spartans, was only 24 when he joined mr salmond s operation and became known in the parliament as the first ministers bag. Geoff aberdein, the former chief of staff to exfirst minister alex salmond, lifelong dons fan and head of european public affairs at aberdeen asset management has had his say on plans for. Witness does not remember seeing salmond accuser on night of. Grief over the deaths would give way to a wave of anger as scotland and black watch families compare and contrast the bravery of our scottish soldiers with the duplicity and chicanery of the politicians who sent them into. Salmond stated under oath that sturgeon had earlier held a meeting on 29 march 2018 to discuss the allegations with geoff aberdein, salmonds former chief of staff.
Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond. Mar 19, 2020 geoff aberdein, formerly salmonds chief of staff, told the jury he met the complainant and the current first minister in sturgeons office in the scottish parliament on 29 march 2018. What alex salmonds diaries reveal about the man who led the. Sturgeons chief of staff suspected salmond complaint. Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex. As a longstanding associate and friend of alex salmond, i was the intermediary who acted for him in facilitating the meeting that took place at the first. Mar 23, 2015 the key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is encapsulated in an entry on the day of the vote. Dec 31, 2015 geoff aberdein, former chief ofstaff to alex salmond and now head of european public affairs for aberdeen asset management, looks at the current form of our political leaders ahead of the. Former first minister alex salmond and nicola sturgeon pictured in. Alex salmond you are a bigot who does not have a clue. Alex salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein image. Join alex salmond and his guests for a festival of fun, friends and freedom. He said allegations from at least five complainants were orchestrated or exaggerated.
Alex salmond, born hogmanay 31 december 1954, is a scots politeecian an wis the convener o the scots naitional pairtie afore nicola sturgeon. He had been chief of staff to alex salmond from 2011 to 2014. The key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is. Women told not to work with salmond alone at night. Salmond joined the snp while at the university of st andrews studying economics and history. Snp braces itself for fallout after alex salmond trial as. Inside track of how salmond v sturgeon row created political. Jan 09, 2015 alex salmond on one of his castle stuart visits. Salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein is informed of two complaints. Geoff aberdein, who served as mr salmonds chief of staff during his time in office, has revealed he met ms sturgeons aide liz lloyd twice in march last year.
There was a meeting between you, a complainant and nicola sturgeon. As well as stage and television appearances and public speaking, he recently started to host a weekly radio programme on lbc called salmond on sunday. In the first instance, very little is going to happen. The book gives insight into a politician who remains an enigma to many. Scots comedian and capital fm breakfast host, des clarke, is set to reprise his role as donald trump during the aberdeen leg of alex salmondunleashed mr clarke first appeared orangeclad and blondewigged at this years edinburgh fringe festival where his impression of the president brought the house down in mr salmonds sellout run at the assembly rooms. Geoff aberdein salmonds chief of staff contacted the universitys press office suggesting a statement they wanted prof richardson to release under her name. Salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein told the court he spoke with a complainer, who claims the accused sexually assaulted her, but she did not indicate she would be involved in. He was also leader of the scottish national party from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014. Geoff aberdein reveals how sturgeons chief of staff had early.
He said this came after he was contacted by two of the complainers known as women f and woman g. Salmond told the court on tuesday that the charges were fabrications and exaggerations. Jan 24, 2019 mr birt said he had spoken to his superior and it was agreed that one of the first ministers special advisors, geoff aberdein, should be told with the aim of speaking to alex salmond. Alex salmond trial told sturgeon took part in meeting with. Alex salmond has walked free from the high court after being acquitted of charges of sexual assault but he has made clear that this is far from the end of the matter. That is five days before the date that sturgeon told parliament she first knew of the allegations. Mar 23, 2020 in the wings was geoff aberdein, salmond s chief of staff, who watched in despair as his boss floundered. He testified that alex salmond was a firm but fair boss. The key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is encapsulated in an entry on the day of the vote. Witness didnt see salmond accuser at dinner glasgow times. The alex salmond show on 9 november 2017, the rt channel formerly known as russia today announced he would host a show called the alex salmond show on the network.
Nicola sturgeon met alex salmonds accuser in march 2018. Geoff aberdein a skilled amateur footballer with edinburghbased club spartans, was only 24 when he joined mr salmond s operation and became known in the parliament as the first ministers bag. He answered the call and it was geoff aberdein, his chief of staff. The guests have included various political and public figures. Jan 15, 2019 geoff aberdein, who served as mr salmonds chief of staff during his time in office, has revealed he met ms sturgeons aide liz lloyd twice in march last year. His siblings included a brother, john, 1 and a sister gwen.
Geoff aberdein leaves the high court in edinburgh after giving evidence in trial of alex salmond image. Not guilty verdicts preserve alex salmonds political legacy and reputation march 24, 2020 express informer north of the border, he is known to opponents and supporters alike as wee eck little alex. Grouse beater the common mans philosopher edinburgh. What alex salmonds diaries reveal about the man who led. Alex salmond, scottish politician who served in the british house of commons 19872010, 201517 and who was first minister of scotland 200714. Snp mystery man speaks out amid salmond and sturgeon.
Alex salmond sex offences trial page 2 politics david. North of the border, he is known to opponents and supporters alike as wee eck little alex. Women were told not to work alone with former scottish first minister alex salmond at night in his. On 9 november 2017, the rt channel formerly known as russia today announced he would host a show called the alex salmond show on the. Geoff aberdein, salmond s chief of staff when he was first. He haudid that poseetion atween 2007 an 2014 for the seicont time, efter haein been convener atween 1990 an 2000. The alex salmond show is a uk weekly political talk show hosted by former first minister of scotland, alex salmond which premiered on rt on 16 november 2017. Kevin pringle and geoff aberdein has been well known to close followers. Difficult months lie ahead on brexit and the future of the uk. Chris birt, a scottish government civil servant, said new rotas were drawn up after two female colleagues told him about alleged incidents involving mr salmond.
Alex salmond, scotlands first minister, tried to force the principal of st andrews university to criticize westminster and. Mar 18, 2020 this was the meeting at sturgeons home where sturgeon had told the scottish parliament she first heard of allegations against alex salmond. This was the meeting at sturgeons home where sturgeon had told the scottish parliament she first heard of allegations against alex salmond. Another witness said the former first minister was a tactile, touchyfeely kind of person but did not act inappropriately. Alex salmond charged with multiple counts of sexual. Those contacts were arranged privately by liz lloyd, sturgeons chief of staff, with geoff aberdein, salmonds former chief of staff when he was. Salmond stated under oath that sturgeon had earlier held a meeting on 29 march 2018 to discuss the allegations with. Women told not to work with salmond alone at night financial times. Scotlands first minister alex salmond lands into major. Alex salmond, the chief protagonist of the scottish independence. Sep 17, 2014 geoff aberdein salmonds chief of staff contacted the universitys press office suggesting a statement they wanted prof richardson to release under her name. Jan 15, 2019 scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond row. Liz lloyd informed salmonds former chief of staff, geoff aberdein, in late march last year that she thought civil servants had received an official complaint over the former first.
Alex salmonds exaide geoff aberdein tells nicola sturgeon. Mar 29, 2020 next defence witness is geoff aberdein, who worked for alex salmond. I cannot recall seeing salmond accuser at dinner, defence. Salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein told the court he spoke with a complainer, who claims the accused sexually assaulted her, but she did not indicate she would be involved in proceedings against him. Alex salmond took lawyer to sex probe meeting with nicola.
These not guilty verdicts preserve his political legacy and personal reputation to a degree, writes richard pendlebury. Mr aberdein s account, which emerged as he was being questioned by mr salmond s qc gordon jackson, was the first time the earlier meeting was made public. The secretive snp chieftains helping alex salmond break up. Geoff aberdein, who served as mr salmond s chief of staff during his time in office, has revealed he met ms sturgeons aide liz lloyd twice in march last year. Alex salmond trial book volcano could mean snp has to be replaced, says former deputy leader jim sillars compared the aftermath of mr salmonds trial, in which he was cleared of a series of sex. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover geoffs connections and jobs at similar companies. Alex salmond charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. Mr birt said he had spoken to his superior and it was agreed that one of the first ministers special advisors, geoff aberdein, should be told with the aim of speaking to alex salmond.
1018 1195 368 648 457 527 116 392 363 228 1170 294 1017 504 141 643 323 1223 1544 301 988 560 468 489 680 1295 41 397 139 199 479 259