Salmond 'died penniless' after fight to clear name

ALEX Salmond died virtually penniless after fighting to clear his name from sex assault claims, it has emerged.

- By Douglas Dickie

The former first minister defended his reputation in two court cases, with the financial toll only becoming clear more than a year after his death.

Lawyers instructed to wind up his estate have now confirmed that they will apply to have a “trustee in sequestration” next week.

The process is the equivalent of declaring his estate bankrupt. Law firm Levy & McRae said the expense of his legal defences was the main reason for it.

The firm has been instructed by his widow Moira to wind up his affairs, The Times reports. David McKie, who is a senior partner at the firm, and Mr Salmond’s lawyer in the two cases, said: “It is a matter of profound regret that Alex had to invest so much time and money in clearing his name.

“But most people will understand that faced with such attacks and an unlawful process brought against him, there was no choice for Alex but to defend himself with every resource available to him.”