Alex Salmond has insisted he will put any personal differences with Nicola Sturgeon aside to help secure a second referendum on independence.
The former SNP leader said it was "inevitable" that his successor as First Minister would lead the campaign for independence.
Salmond was Sturgeon's political mentor but the pair fell out after he was accused of sexual assault while in office.
He was later cleared of all charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Asked if the First Minister was the right person to lead an IndyRef2 campaign, Salmond told Sky News said it was important voices from outwith government were heard.
He said: "She is the inevitable person to lead the campaign - she is the head of the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Government has a prime role in an independence referendum.
"But I think it is really, really important there are voices from outwith government."
Salmond added: "Whatever personal differences between me and Nicola, they are insignificant compared to the national cause of Scotland becoming independent - to which I, and Nicola Sturgeon, have devoted our lives.
"I don't think you would find any personal differences coming in the way of something that is much bigger and greater than any two individuals."
It comes as the First Minister this week kickstarted her government's campaign for a second referendum.
Sturgeon unveiled the first in a series of papers on Tuesday aimed at convincing Scots voters of the benefits of independence.
Asked how likely he thought an IndyRef2 would take place before the next general election, Salmond said: "I take the Scottish Government at its word.
"It's a no ifs, no buts, commitment now - there is going to be a referendum by October of next year.
"So the national movement of Scotland are looking forward to taking part in that referendum."
On the subject of a Section 30 order - which would allow Holyrood to hold a poll - Salmond added: "The first thing is to ask for it, to let Boris Johnson deny it, and then take effective political action to change his mind.
"My view is that Boris Johnson is not a strong figure. It's an open question whether he will even be Prime Minister by the autumn.
"Therefore, this seems to be a very good time to exert political pressure."
Salmond went on to say his trial in 2020 - from which he walked free - "would not get in the way of an independence campaign".
The Sunday Mail revealed in April that claims of perjury committed in the former SNP leader's sex assault trial are being probed.
Lawyers for the former first minister have written to the Crown Office laying out a series of criminal allegations.
And we have learned the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has appointed an independent QC to probe the claims along with a senior prosecutor.
A COPFS spokesman said at the time: “Correspondence from Mr Salmond’s solicitor has been received and will be responded to in due course.
“As is standard practice in any case regarding politicians, this will be dealt with by a procurator fiscal and independent Crown Counsel without the involvement of the Law Officers.”
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