Meanwhile, the legal firm which represented Alex Salmond at his infamous sexual assault trial has launched a staunch defence of the former First Minister. The 69-year-old died on Saturday afternoon while at a forum in North Macedonia.

Salmond resigned as first minister in 2014 after a defeat in the independence referendum. He was then the subject of numerous allegations of sexual assault and attempted rape, of which he was cleared at the High Court in Edinburgh.

In a stinging statement which takes aim at those who ‘remained sceptical’ of him despite clearing his name, the legal firm made a passionate defence of the former first minister.

David McKie, senior partner of the firm, said: “Alex was a true giant of the political world both in Scotland and across the UK. He was unquestionably one of the leading politicians of his generation. He was widely respected across all political viewpoints. He had a unique ability to connect with the person in the street right up to heads of state and royalty.

“It comes as no surprise to read the many testimonials which followed his untimely death. Our involvement with Alex came after his tenure as First Minister and at a difficult time in his life and career.

“While we helped to navigate Alex through three legal processes (judicial review, a trial and the subsequent parliamentary inquiry), the real driving force in all of those processes was Alex himself. He very quickly grasped the legal issues involved and fought hard to ensure that justice was done.

“Alex’s courage and strength of character over the three-year period, from the Scottish Government launching an unlawful process against him, throughout his criminal trial in which he was cleared on all charges by a jury of his peers, to his unimpeachable evidence in the Parliamentary Inquiry, was absolutely incredible.

“What he endured – the apparatus of the state turning against him – would have broken many people, but not Alex. He remained utterly determined to see justice done, but showed no bitterness or anger towards his accusers or to the many others who jumped on the bandwagon to condemn him, even before any evidence had been produced or presented.

“Instead, he simply focussed on the evidence and understood, unlike many commentators at the time, the importance of the due process of law. While some individuals, for whatever reasons, remained critical and sceptical (even after his legal victories, all of which were grounded on the evidence), his friends and his true supporters, as well as those who respect the rule and process of law, recognised and respected his complete vindication.

“I will always remember a truly incredible human being, with remarkable insight, strength of personality and a stoic restraint which many others could not contemplate. I cannot fail to mention either his kindness, loyalty, his ability with people and, remarkably, the wonderful sense of humour he managed to show throughout and despite his tribulations.

“My thoughts go out to Moira and to his very close friends and associates whom I had the privilege of getting to know through an otherwise horrendous period in Alex’s life. While there are still some injustices to be resolved, I hope Alex could rest in the knowledge that he was unequivocally vindicated and that he retained the love and respect of those who most mattered to him.”

“I stood next to Alex when he was first arrested and charged and was at his side when he gave a truly unforgettable speech on the day of his acquittal. That day coincided with the start of [covid] lockdown and, despite Alex having been overwhelmingly cleared, his focus was instead on those suffering the impact of the pandemic. That was the mark of the man.”