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. 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. 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. These not guilty verdicts preserve his political legacy and personal reputation to a degree, writes richard pendlebury. Mar 23, 2015 the key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is encapsulated in an entry on the day of the vote. Giving evidence on the second day of salmonds defence case, aberdein told the court he had two meetings with a complainant in early march. Alex salmond is a considerable figure by any reckoning. Alex salmonds exaide geoff aberdein tells nicola sturgeon. The show is produced by slainte media, a production company coowned by salmond and former snp mp tasmina. Geoff aberdein reveals how sturgeons chief of staff had early.
Those contacts were arranged privately by liz lloyd, sturgeons chief of staff, with geoff aberdein, salmonds former chief of staff when he was. 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. 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. Kevin pringle and geoff aberdein has been well known to close followers. Inside track of how salmond v sturgeon row created political. Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond. Mar 23, 2020 salmond suffered another partridge moment when he took part in a television debate on scottish independence with former labour chancellor alistair darling. Alex salmond, scotlands first minister, tried to force the principal of st andrews university to criticize westminster and. 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. 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.
He haudid that poseetion atween 2007 an 2014 for the seicont time, efter haein been convener atween 1990 an 2000. 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. Alex salmonds new book has been labelled the longest exercise in literary masturbation since politics began in a blistering attack by paddy ashdown. Women told not to work with salmond alone at night financial times.
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. Geoff aberdein salmonds chief of staff contacted the universitys press office suggesting a statement they wanted prof richardson to release under her name. Next defence witness is geoff aberdein, who worked for alex salmond. Alex salmond charged with multiple counts of sexual. Bbc news uk politics hoon rejects iraq death anger. Geoff aberdein leaves the high court in edinburgh after giving evidence in trial of alex salmond image. He said allegations from at least five complainants were orchestrated or exaggerated. Nicola sturgeon met alex salmonds accuser in march 2018. North of the border, he is known to opponents and supporters alike as wee eck little alex. 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. Nov 05, 2004 mr salmond said the troops move had clearly been politicallymotivated and linked to the american presidential elections. Alex salmond you are a bigot who does not have a clue.
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. Snp braces itself for fallout after alex salmond trial as. Geoffrey salmond was born the son of major general sir william salmond and emma mary salmond nee hoyle. 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 sex offences trial page 2 politics david. 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. Writing in holyrood magazine, geoff aberdein, who served as alex salmonds chief of staff during the 2014 independence campaign, said we know efforts are under way to augment the economic case and improve in other areas, while calling for strict discipline in the tone adopted by the yes campaign. 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. 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. 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 aide liz lloyd twice in march last year. 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. 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. 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. Alex salmond took lawyer to sex probe meeting with nicola. Mar 23, 2020 in the wings was geoff aberdein, salmond s chief of staff, who watched in despair as his boss floundered. Nicola sturgeon facing scrutiny over secret meeting with. With a series of inquiries in the pipeline, what is going to come next. Jan 15, 2019 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. 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. The key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is encapsulated in an entry on the day of the vote. 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. That is five days before the date that sturgeon told parliament she first knew of the allegations. The secretive snp chieftains helping alex salmond break up. Alex salmond trial told sturgeon took part in meeting with.
Mar 19, 2020 the next defence witness was geoff aberdein. 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. What alex salmonds diaries reveal about the man who led the. 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. Sturgeons chief of staff suspected salmond complaint. 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. 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. There was a meeting between you, a complainant and nicola sturgeon. Sturgeons chief of staff suspected salmond complaint before. Jan 09, 2015 alex salmond on one of his castle stuart visits.
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. His siblings included a brother, john, 1 and a sister gwen. Salmonds former chiefofstaff, geoff aberdein, also gave evidence during yesterdays hearing. Geoff aberdein, salmond s chief of staff when he was first. Women told not to work with salmond alone at night. 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. View geoff aberdeins profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. I cannot recall seeing salmond accuser at dinner, defence. Salmond suffered another partridge moment when he took part in a television debate on scottish independence with former labour chancellor alistair darling. Salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein is informed of two complaints. Yes campaign needs to improve argument for independence. Geoff aberdein a skilled amateur footballer with edinburghbased club spartans, was only 24 when he joined mr salmonds operation and became known. 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.
He had been chief of staff to alex salmond from 2011 to 2014. Witness didnt see salmond accuser at dinner glasgow times. The key to understanding alex salmonds attitude to the referendum is. Snp mystery man speaks out amid salmond and sturgeon smear. The book gives insight into a politician who remains an enigma to many. Salmond had high standards, did not mince his words but welcomed people giving the same back to him. 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.
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. Snp mystery man speaks out amid salmond and sturgeon. Alex salmonds former chief of staff geoff aberdein image. He testified that alex salmond was a firm but fair boss. 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. 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. Jan 15, 2019 scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond row. Alex salmond, born hogmanay 31 december 1954, is a scots politeecian an wis the convener o the scots naitional pairtie afore nicola sturgeon. Mar 29, 2020 next defence witness is geoff aberdein, who worked for alex salmond. Alex salmond, scottish politician who served in the british house of commons 19872010, 201517 and who was first minister of scotland 200714. Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex. 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. This was the meeting at sturgeons home where sturgeon had told the scottish parliament she first heard of allegations against alex salmond. Salmond stated under oath that sturgeon had earlier held a meeting on 29 march 2018 to discuss the allegations with.
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. Witness does not remember seeing salmond accuser on night of. In the first instance, very little is going to happen. 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. The guests have included various political and public figures. Salmond joined the snp while at the university of st andrews studying economics and history. Grouse beater the common mans philosopher edinburgh. Scottish parliament to hold its own inquiry into alex salmond row. Alex salmond, the chief protagonist of the scottish independence.
Mar 24, 2020 geoff aberdein leaves the high court in edinburgh after giving evidence in trial of alex salmond image. Mar 24, 2020 alex salmond has walked free from court what happens next. 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. Geoff aberdein, who served under the former snp leader, says he met the first ministers aide twice in march last year. 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. Former first minister alex salmond and nicola sturgeon pictured in. Join alex salmond and his guests for a festival of fun, friends and freedom. Holyrood to hold internal inquiry into salmond complaints. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover geoffs connections and jobs at similar companies.
In the wings was geoff aberdein, salmonds chief of staff, who watched in despair as his boss floundered. What alex salmonds diaries reveal about the man who led. Women were told not to work alone with former scottish first minister alex salmond at night in his. Scotlands first minister alex salmond lands into major. Another witness said the former first minister was a tactile, touchyfeely kind of person but did not act inappropriately.
Geoff aberdein, who served as mr salmonds chief of staff during his time in office, has revealed he met ms sturgeons. Alex salmond charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. But of course a book, even a political one, isnt like writing a speech or policy paper. He was also leader of the scottish national party from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014. 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 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.