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CLEARED Alex Salmond is targeting the Holy­rood seat being vacated by sex pest MSP Mark McDonald, sources claim.

The Aberdeen Donside constituency was said to be a “natural fit” for the former First Minister as he plots his political comeback.

 Alex Salmond was cleared of sex assaults on Monday
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Alex Salmond was cleared of sex assaults on MondayCredit: PA:Press Association

But insiders said he’ll spend the coronavirus lockdown at his home in nearby Strichen penning a book about his sex assaults trial acquittal — and planning legal action over an alleged Scottish Government “conspiracy” against him.

An SNP source said: “Alex is considering a go at several seats but Donside is one that’s the best natural fit.

“It’s at the heart of his home turf in the north east and there’s a hefty SNP majority.


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“It is there for the taking after Mark goes.”

An ally of Mr Salmond added: “It’s early doors but he would stand a fantastic chance in any SNP seat, and plenty of our MSPs are standing down.

“Getting Alex in the door past party HQ might be the task. He could always stand as an independent, of course.”

Mr Salmond has refused to comment on claims he is planning a return until after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

 Mr Salmond will target Mark McDonald's seat, it's claimed
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Mr Salmond will target Mark McDonald's seat, it's claimedCredit: PA:Press Association

The crisis is expected to del­ay a Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s response to harassment claims.

It could also force the postponement of next year’s parly elections, giving Mr Salmond more time to rejoin the SNP and get on the candidates list.

Another source said: “If there is no vaccine by the end of the year, you can’t run an election campaign in January.

“The longer it’s delayed the more likely Alex is to be back in the party and to be a candidate. Is there going to be an attempt to stop that? It would be very foolish.

“He would walk into the Edinburgh Central nomination but I think he will stick to the north east of Scotland.”

But rivals insist Mr Salmond wouldn’t be allowed back in easily.

A source said: “He got those not guil­ty verdicts but even what he admitted to would be enough to get any sitting MSP kicked out of the party.

“Don’t underestimate the willingness of people to fight back.”

Mr Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual assault charges at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday.

We told how Mr McDonald quit the SNP in 2018 after admitting pestering two Holyrood workers with inappropriate messages.

A report found some included “sexual innuendo”.

The former Children’s Minister returned as an independent but has indicated he does not plan to stand again at the next Scots parly elections.

andrew.nicoll@the-sun.co.uk

Alex Salmond arrives at court in Edinburgh ahead of second day of trial


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