In a rule of thumb attributed to Alastair Campbell, when a politician “becomes the story” they’ve only days to clear themselves before they must depart the scene to prevent lasting damage to their party. That was before Alex Salmond became the story. . http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16603849.iain-macwhirter-salmonds-determination-to-clear-his-name-could-tear-the-snp-apart/