Alex Salmond has decided to donate his first minister’s pension to a charitable trust which helps young people in the north-east.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP said handing over £42,501 to the Mary Salmond Trust, named after his late mother, was the “right thing to do” and what she would have expected.
The trust was established in 2007 and has already distributed more than £92,000 to 239 youth and community organisations or young people.
Mr Salmond previously donated his MSP’s salary to the trust while serving as both an MSP and an MP between 2007 and 2010.
He will donate his pension to the trust for as long as he serves as an MSP.
Mr Salmond, who has six pensions and has earned more than £1million since 2007, said: “I have already made it clear that I am not retiring from politics and therefore this is the right thing to do.
“The Mary Salmond Trust has done a great job supporting young people, community and charitable causes across the north-east and I am delighted that this work can now continue into the future.”
Mary Salmond died at the age of 81 in May 2003, after she went out walking with her local walking group, Linlithgow Ramblers, near Glenmore in the Highlands.
Trustee Roddy McColl said: “This is tremendous news and will enable the trust to continue its work supporting good causes and charities across the north-east.
“The trustees are delighted with the standard of application we have received and a great deal of exceptionally good work is being assisted by the grants we have been able to make.”
Campaign group Taxpayer Scotland welcomed the announcement.
Spokesman Eben Wilson said: “Mr Salmond’s heart has always been with the people of Scotland.
“He could easily have pocketed the money and nobody would have said anything.”
Mr Salmond officially stands down as first minister tomorrow and Nicola Sturgeon will take over after 10 years as his deputy.