After four months imprisonment, a former British Ambassador was sentenced to jail for identifying Alex Salmond’s accusers of sex assault in his blog posts.
Craig Murray, 63-year-old former British ambassador in Uzbekistan, was cheered by around 100 supporters as he left HMP Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Murray had been a blogger in recent years and was now a pro-independence activist. He was found guilty of contempt for writing blogs during Alex Salmond’s trial.
The judge found the articles contained information that could be used to help identify the women who had made accusations against Salmon. Mr Salmon was later acquitted on all 13 charges, including attempted rape.
Murray surrendered himself to police at Edinburgh on August 1 and started his sentence in jail. After serving the first half of his eight-month sentence, Murray was freed today.
Murray made headlines before after having a scandalous affair while ambassador to Uzbekistan.
Nadira Alieva was bellydancing in Tashkent’s nightclub. He slipped $20 through her back and then gave her his number.
This affair ended his 20 year marriage in 2004. It also left his diplomatic career in disarray. The couple were married in 2009 after a 23-year separation. She was there with their children to witness his release.
Craig Murray, the former UK ambassador in Uzbekistan, is welcomed by Nadira Murray and their sons Jamie (and daughter Emily) as he’s released from HMP Edinburgh
Craig Murray and Emily are embraced as he’s released from HMP Edinburgh
Addressing supporters today, he said: ‘It’s been a hard four months. One thing that I have learned, and I am grateful for is the fact that dignity can only be found within.
He said, “Nobody can remove your dignity from you” and that those within the Scottish establishment tried to humiliate or degrade him only succeeded in embarrassing themselves as well as bringing shame to Scotland international.
As he left Stenhouse prison, the inmate said that it was horrible and not pleasant.
He said: “Scotland should shame himself for his antiquated and old-fashioned, retrograde justice system.”
Murray nearly wept, but he still thanked his family and supporters.
According to him, he received thousands of letters worldwide from people who were appalled by the attack on freedom and justice.
Murray previously hit the headlines after a scandalous affair with belly dancer Nadira Alieva while he served as ambassador to Uzbekistan. He was forced to end his 20-year marriage in 2004 due to this affair and his diplomatic career ended. They were married later and remain together.
The former ambassador welcomed Barbados to existence, despite it having’shaken off British monarchy,’ and attacked Nicola Sturgeon’s and the SNP’s inability to make a scintilla more advancement than they did on the day that I entered’. He also called for reform of prisons.
Murray also told his friends that the HMP Edinburgh prison guards said they didn’t think Murray should go to jail.
He said that a few of the men went even further, stating outright they didn’t sign up for prison service to hold political prisoners.
Supporters, who arrived carrying Saltires banners and other decorations, presented gifts and flowers to him at the conclusion of his speech.
Murray was seen emerging from prison sporting a beard. He said he planned to spend the next few days relaxing with his loved ones.