Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

SNP conference 2015: Alex Salmond forced to deny believing in ghosts

The former First Minister had said he had seen an image of ghosts that was 'not forged or created'

Matt Dathan
Online Political Reporter, Aberdeen
Saturday 17 October 2015 12:59 EDT
Comments
A minister played down Mr Salmond's comments on the occult
A minister played down Mr Salmond's comments on the occult (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Alex Salmond was forced to deny he believed in ghosts after claiming on Friday that he had seen photographic evidence that they exist.

In one of the more bizarre events of the SNP conference in Aberdeen the former First Minister told Buzzfeed News that he had once been a guest of honour at a hotel whose owners showed him a picture apparently showing ghosts, which he said was “not forged or created, that would give anyone serious thought about these things.”

However a Scottish government minister played down his comments, saying he was joking. "Alex is taking the piss... he's dug a hole and they've all jumped into it,” he told the Guardian.

In the interview on Friday Mr Salmond said: “There’s a hotel I opened where I saw pictoral evidence which would make anything think seriously about this issue.

“I have seen a photo, which I know was not forged or created, that would give anyone serious thought about these things.”

“I find the picture I saw, and other experiences I’ve had, difficult to explain by what would be normally considered,” he added.

“Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re seeing earthly apparitions of people gone by – there could be other explanations – but there was certainly something in that picture which requires explanation.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in