Alex Salmond has dismissed criticism from Humza Yousaf as “smears” and described his erstwhile colleague as a “footnote” in the SNP’s history.
Responding to allegations from Mr Yousaf that he had ‘abused’ his power during his time in Bute House, Mr Salmond labelled his fellow former First Minister “Humza the Brief”, and said that he was on a “quest for relevance”.
Mr Yousaf, who replaced Ms Sturgeon after she unexpectedly resigned last year, told the ongoing BBC documentary ‘Salmond and Sturgeon - A Troubled Union’ that the First Minister is ordinarily the most powerful person in the room.
He said: “You can choose to use that power appropriately or you can choose to abuse it. And on too many occasions, given the behaviour that Alex has already admitted, there was too many instances of that abuse of power.”
Former SNP leader Humza Yousaf (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
But responding on social media, Mr Salmond urged supporters of Scottish independence to switch off the documentary, and said: “What can be said about poor Humza 'the brief', the new self-appointed authority on personal conduct and morality?
“In a programme which was supposed to be about the history of the rise of the SNP, a party defined by towering figures like Winnie Ewing and Neil MacCormick, Humza Yousaf confirms himself as an unfortunate footnote.
“In his quest for relevance, he is reduced to smears. I am comfortable with my contribution as First Minister to advancing Scotland’s interests and the cause of independence. I doubt Humza can say the same, nor that it will be said of him.”
In his quest for relevance, he is reduced to smears. I am comfortable with my contribution as First Minister to advancing Scotland’s interests and the cause of independence. I doubt Humza can say the same, nor that it will be said of him (8/8)
— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) September 10, 2024
Mr Salmond led the Scottish government between 2007 and 2014, with Ms Sturgeon succeeding him.
Their relationship broke down following complaints about his conduct, both to Scottish government officials and to the police.
READ MORE:
- Salmond - I seriously doubt Sturgeon and I will speak again
- Salmond and Sturgeon: a Troubled Union, part one
Mr Salmond successfully took civil legal action against Ms Sturgeon's administration for its handling of an internal investigation - ruled to be "tainted with apparent bias" - and was awarded £500,000.
At the subsequent criminal trial, Mr Salmond admitted to having a "sleepy cuddle" with one complainer and what his defence lawyer called "a bit of how's your father" with another.
He was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Humza Yousaf led the Scottish Government from March 2023 to May 2024. His time at the top table came to an end after he sacked his Scottish Green coalition partners, and they subsequently declared they would vote against him in a motion of no confidence.
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