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SNP seeks to refocus on policies amid Salmond allegations SNP seeks to refocus on policies amid Salmond allegations
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish National party will attempt to re-focus on its long-term goal of independence after a turbulent week and a warning from its leader, Nicola Sturgeon, that the way sexual harassment allegations made against Alex Salmond are dealt with “will say a lot about who we are as a party”. The Scottish National party will attempt to refocus on its long-term goal of independence after a turbulent week and a warning from its leader, Nicola Sturgeon, that the way sexual harassment allegations made against Alex Salmond are dealt with “will say a lot about who we are as a party”.
Hundred of activists are gathering in Aviemore on Saturday morning to debate the economic case for independence, as part of a series of national assemblies set up following the publication of a report by the party’s sustainable growth commission in May. Hundred of activists are gathering in Aviemore on Saturday morning to debate the economic case for independence, as part of a series of national assemblies set up after the publication of a report by the party’s sustainable growth commission in May.
At a meeting of SNP parliamentarians on Friday, arranged before the Salmond allegations were made public, Sturgeon warned: “How we deal with this, and how we are seen to respond to this, will say a lot about who we are as a party and also about the country we are today and want to build for the future.” At a meeting of SNP parliamentarians on Friday, arranged before the Salmond allegations were made public, Sturgeon said: “How we deal with this and how we are seen to respond to this will say a lot about who we are as a party and also about the country we are today and want to build for the future.
She went on: “Let’s not forget that at the heart of this, amidst all the focus on process, politics and personalities, there are two people who have brought forward complaints, which cannot have been easy to do. I want to be not just the first minister but also a citizen of a country where people feel that they can come forward and know that their complaints will be taken seriously. “Let’s not forget that at the heart of this, amidst all the focus on process, politics and personalities, there are two people who have brought forward complaints, which cannot have been easy to do. I want to be not just the first minister but also a citizen of a country where people feel that they can come forward and know that their complaints will be taken seriously.
“Therefore in everything we do and say, we need to make sure that we are not making it harder for people to come forward in the future. Otherwise we risk setting back so much of the progress that has been made in recent times.”“Therefore in everything we do and say, we need to make sure that we are not making it harder for people to come forward in the future. Otherwise we risk setting back so much of the progress that has been made in recent times.”
By Saturday morning, more than 4,100 people had donated just over £98,000 to Salmond after he appealed for support on Thursday evening to mount a judicial review of the Scottish government’s handling of the allegations. The former SNP leader also faces a police investigation into the complaints by two female civil servants. One official is reported to have alleged he touched her bottom and breasts at his official residence in Edinburgh while he was first minister. Salmond has repeatedly denied any misconduct.By Saturday morning, more than 4,100 people had donated just over £98,000 to Salmond after he appealed for support on Thursday evening to mount a judicial review of the Scottish government’s handling of the allegations. The former SNP leader also faces a police investigation into the complaints by two female civil servants. One official is reported to have alleged he touched her bottom and breasts at his official residence in Edinburgh while he was first minister. Salmond has repeatedly denied any misconduct.
While a number of senior party figures have questioned why someone with Salmond’s evident resources would require fundraising, and suggested that such a public rallying for a man accused of harassment may deter other women from coming forward with complaints, a handful of SNP MPs and MSPs have donated themselves.While a number of senior party figures have questioned why someone with Salmond’s evident resources would require fundraising, and suggested that such a public rallying for a man accused of harassment may deter other women from coming forward with complaints, a handful of SNP MPs and MSPs have donated themselves.
Party sources downplayed talk of a rift on Saturday morning, insisting that rank-and-file members attending last weekend’s national assembly in Ayr had been more interested in talking about currency options than Alex Salmond.Party sources downplayed talk of a rift on Saturday morning, insisting that rank-and-file members attending last weekend’s national assembly in Ayr had been more interested in talking about currency options than Alex Salmond.
The SNP’s deputy leader, Keith Brown, told the Guardian that offering an alternative to Brexit was “more vital than ever”, as voters began to notice mortgages and food prices increasing while job opportunities diminished. The SNP’s deputy leader, Keith Brown, told the Guardian that offering an alternative to Brexit was essential, as voters began to notice mortgages and food prices increasing while job opportunities diminished.
“A fresh case for independence is more vital than ever – and that is what we are working on at the national assemblies, and with wider engagement enabling members of our party direct input and people from across the yes movement and civic Scotland a say too.”“A fresh case for independence is more vital than ever – and that is what we are working on at the national assemblies, and with wider engagement enabling members of our party direct input and people from across the yes movement and civic Scotland a say too.”
The long-awaited growth commission report was intended to offer a more convincing and realistic economic case for independence than the one thought to have scuppered the 2014 campaign. But it attracted a wave of criticism from members of the broader yes movement following its publication earlier this year, in particular for recommendations that an independent Scotland would have to cut spending and delay launching its own currency, leave a newly independent Scotland beholden to the UK’s financial markets.The long-awaited growth commission report was intended to offer a more convincing and realistic economic case for independence than the one thought to have scuppered the 2014 campaign. But it attracted a wave of criticism from members of the broader yes movement following its publication earlier this year, in particular for recommendations that an independent Scotland would have to cut spending and delay launching its own currency, leave a newly independent Scotland beholden to the UK’s financial markets.
Scottish National party (SNP)Scottish National party (SNP)
Alex SalmondAlex Salmond
Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
ScotlandScotland
Scottish politicsScottish politics
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