A rape charity has criticised former first minister Alex Salmond for his response to allegations of sexual harassment.
Rape Crisis Scotland’s chief executive, Sandy Brindley, said Mr Salmond’s decision to start a crowd-funder to meet legal costs could discourage more women from coming forward with their own experiences.
Mr Salmond launched a fundraiser on Wednesday evening, at the same time he quit the SNP after 45 years as a member.
The collection, which has since been closed, raised more than £100,000 – twice the original target of £50,000 – to help meet his Court of Session costs to challenge the lawfulness of the Scottish Government’s procedure.
The online appeal attracted comments from people who donated to Mr Salmond’s fundraising page saying that they believed he was innocent, and had been targeted over his support for Scottish independence.
Other comments attacked the female complainants – and Ms Brindley said this could deter victims of sexual offences from speaking out.
In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, the Rape Crisis Scotland boss said: “The accused, in a matter of days, used his platform to raise more than £100,000 to challenge a process they used to make their complaints.
“This isn’t about politics, it’s about power.
“If either of the women involved had concerns about the process, how likely is it they could host press conferences and raise more than £100,000 to pursue a legal challenge?
“It’s certainly not a game – and it’s definitely not a level playing field.
“Our response to this situation matters. It really matters – and it matters most for survivors of sexual violence and abuse, and for those looking at the way the national conversation is going to gauge whether or not they will be believed and whether they should say anything at all.”
A spokesman for Mr Salmond defended the decision to launch the crowd-funder.
He said: “What might deter future complainants from coming forward and shake confidence in the right to make a complaint is breach of confidentiality, such as the planted leaks which have occurred in this case.”
The former first minister was informed in March of an investigation by the Scottish Government, after complaints about his behaviour were made in January.
The allegations, to which Mr Salmond denies any harassment or criminality, date back to 2013 when he was first minister.
Mr Salmond claims the new Scottish Government procedures for investigating harassment complaints against current and former ministers are unfair and unlawful.