Millionaire businessman Paul McManus has taken over the legal battle initiated by late Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond against the Scottish Government. The rock drummer will fund the case accusing senior figures, including Nicola Sturgeon and former top civil servant Leslie Evans, of "misfeasance" in handling complaints against Salmond.
Salmond's widow Moira assigned the legal rights to McManus on Friday. The move ensures the controversial case continues after Salmond's death in 2024 at a conference in North Macedonia.
The legal action centres on how the Government handled complaints made by two civil servants against Salmond during his time in Bute House. Salmond maintained until his death that he was the victim of a plot by senior Government figures.
McManus vows accountability
McManus, drummer in Scottish band Gun, revealed he did not know Salmond personally and disagreed with him on Scottish independence. Yet he «strongly believes» there was a Government plot against the former leader.
«If the Government can do this to one of their own, what chance do we, Joe Public, have if they decide to target us? I want to see those responsible held to account and to face consequences,» McManus stated.
Previous legal victory
Salmond had already sued the Government over its handling of the complaints. A judge ruled the process was «tainted by apparent bias» and awarded him more than £500,000.
He was later charged with multiple sexual offences but cleared of all charges at the High Court. Salmond filed the current action at the Court of Session naming Sturgeon and Evans, but died before it went before a judge.
A spokeswoman for Sturgeon declined to comment, citing the live nature of the case.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
