Jackson guilty of misconduct over Salmond case comments

Gordon Jackson QC has been found guilty of professional misconduct for discussing the trial involving his client Alex Salmond on a train.

Mr Jackson, who resigned as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates ahead of the disciplinary proceedings, to which he referred himself, was videoed by another passenger making comments about Mr Salmond and two of the female complainers in the case. The QC successfully defended the former First Minister against 13 charges of sexual assault including attempted rape.

His recorded comments included the names of the two complainers, whose identities the High Court had ordered to be protected. 

A Faculty disciplinary panel concluded that the disclosure of details enabling the women to be identified amounted to professional misconduct. It remains open to Mr Jackson to appeal, and the penalty to be imposed has still to be decided. Faculty said it would not be commenting at this stage.

Rape Crisis Scotland, which brought a complaint on behalf of the complainers, said Mr Jackson should be stripped of his right to practise as a QC.

Mr Jackson apologised at the time, saying "I deeply regret the distress and difficulties which have been caused."