A FORMER Scottish Government official who has accused Alex Salmond of attempted rape and sexual assault has rejected claims she fabricated the incidents.
The former first minister of Scotland is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh over accusations of sexual assault.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has spoken about two alleged incidents, including one charge that the 65-year-old tried to rape her in June 2014.
Shelagh McCall QC, representing Salmond, accused the prosecution witness yesterday of making up the attempted rape and said the woman had used knowledge about the former first minister's whereabouts at the time to fabricate the account.
The lawyer also argued during cross-examination that email communication before the alleged incident was evidence that it had not occurred.
The witness, known as Woman H, said: "I wish for my life that were true but that's not. I wish the (former) first minister had been nicer and a better man and I weren't here."
She had told the court on Monday she felt "hunted" by Salmond moments before the alleged attempted rape at Bute House.
It was heard he stripped himself naked – apart from his socks – removed most of her clothing, pushed her on the bed and assaulted her.
Ms McCall asked why the woman
had not called for a security guard to help that night or left the premises
sooner.
Woman H said: "I wish that I stood up and decked him but I didn't, I wish I had run but I didn't – I was in panic.
"I had wanted to deal with it privately – because the whole thing was horrible – as we often did with Alex's behaviour.
The other sexual assault allegation in relation to Woman H is said to have taken place at Bute House in May 2014 after a meal there.
But Ms McCall said d
