Nicola Sturgeon expresses 'huge sadness' at Alex Salmond leaving SNP

But Scottish first minister insists it is right her predecessor is investigated over sexual harassment allegations, which he denies

Nicola Sturgeon has expressed her “huge sadness” at Alex Salmond’s decision to quit the SNP amid allegations of sexual harassment.

The Scottish first minister said her predecessor had been a “friend and mentor for almost 30 years” but defended her government’s decision to investigate him.

Mr Salmond announced on Wednesday night that he was resigning his SNP membership and criticised the way the complaints against him had been handled.

He suggested Ms Sturgeon was facing "pressure from other political parties" to suspend him and said he would step down to avoid damaging the SNP.

The Scottish government received two complaints about Mr Salmond in January, and informed him of them in March. They are reported to have been made by two former employees in relation to alleged incidents in 2013.

Mr Salmond has refuted the allegations and said he “absolutely rejects any suggestion of criminality”. He is mounting a legal challenge against the Scottish government and, while announcing his resignation, launched a crowdfunding page to help cover his £50,000 legal costs. The target was smashed within hours.

Responding to news that her predecessor was quitting the SNP, Ms Sturgeon said: “I feel a huge sadness about this whole situation. Alex has been my friend and mentor for almost 30 years and his contribution to the SNP and the independence movement speaks for itself.

“While the decision to resign has been Alex’s alone, I understand why he has chosen to separate the current questions he is facing from the day to day business of the SNP and the ongoing campaign for independence.”

Ms Sturgeon admitted the situation was “incredibly difficult” for the SNP, the complainants and Mr Salmond, but insisted it was right that the two complaints against Mr Salmond are investigated.

She said: “The fact remains that two complaints were received by the Scottish government that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet. Complaints must be investigated without fear or favour, regardless of the seniority of the person involved.

“I know party members will be upset by this news, just as I am. I also know there are many questions that can only be answered in the fullness of time. It is important that any legal processes are allowed to take their course.”

The campaign for Scottish independence “is bigger than any one individual”, she added, and “is more important now than ever”.

Mr Salmond, who served as Scottish first minister from 2007 to 2014, has called for an inquiry into how the allegations against him were made public.

In a statement announcing his exit from the SNP, he said: “I believe that all such issues must be treated seriously, confidentially and through a fair process. In this case confidentiality has been broken greatly to my detriment and in a way which puts at serious risk the anonymity of both complainants."

He added: “It seems obvious that Nicola feels under pressure from other political parties to suspend me from SNP membership, given recent party precedents. For my part I have always thought it a very poor idea to suspend any party member on the basis of complaints and allegations. Innocent until proven guilty is central to our justice.

"However, I did not come into politics to facilitate opposition attacks on the SNP and, with Parliament returning next week, I have tendered my resignation to remove this line of opposition attack."

Mr Salmond said he believed moves to suspend him would have caused "substantial internal division" in the SNP, and that he planned to reapply for party membership "as soon as I have had the opportunity to clear my name".