David Clegg and Kieran Andrews’s new book, Break-Up, details the scandal that erupted in August 2018 when two women accused former first minister Alex Salmond of sexual misconduct. The allegations, reported by the Daily Record, led to a two-week trial in Edinburgh where Salmond was acquitted of 14 charges. The book also covers the judicial review that found the Scottish government's investigation to be unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias”.
Clegg and Andrews, political editors for the Daily Record and the Times respectively, present an exhaustive account of the evidence from 10 women, labelled A to K. While Salmond was cleared, the authors argue that his admitted behaviour should not be excused and that the women who spoke up were “ignored, vilified and abandoned”.
The book reveals that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond’s successor, was “knocked sideways” by the realisation of his conduct. In a private meeting, Salmond admitted to an earlier apology for inappropriate behaviour towards a female civil servant. Sturgeon recalled feeling physically sick and described Salmond as “the most influential and important person in my adult life”, someone she loved. The judicial review later concluded that Sturgeon’s government had acted unlawfully in its handling of the complaints.
The fallout threatened both political careers, but Sturgeon survived the 2021 election despite Salmond’s new Alba party. The authors suggest the scandal’s equivalent in Westminster would be akin to David Cameron accused of a sex attack and suing Theresa May. The book serves as a cautionary tale about power, loyalty and the failure of institutional processes.
