ALEX Salmond has been cleared of a historic sexual assault claim.
Police said no further action would be taken after a complaint was made about the former SNP first minister and Alba leader at the end of last year, the Daily Record reports.
Salmond, who was first minister between 2007 and 2014, died of a heart attack while on a trip to North Macedonia in October.
At the time, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have received a report of a non-recent sexual assault. The information is being assessed."
The force provided an updated statement to the Record, published on Thursday, which said: “Following a report of a non-recent sexual assault, enquiries were carried out and no further action will be taken."
Before his death, Salmond was cleared of 14 charges of alleged crimes including sexual assault and attempted rape in March 2020 after a trial at Edinburgh High Court.
When he died, the former first minister was in the process of suing the Scottish Government over its botched handling of sexual assault claims made against him.
The process was found to have been biased against Salmond.
Commenting on Thursday's decision, Alba MSP Ash Regan said: “Alex Salmond died with his reputation intact as a titan of Scottish politics. Alex can no longer defend himself, yet some remain determined to smear his name.
"It is time to let him rest, grant his wife Moira and his family the closure they deserve and draw a line so his legacy can be remembered with dignity.”
