Stone of Destiny fragment ‘genuine beyond reasonable doubt’

According to Scottish Cabinet papers released on 1 January, it was John MacCormick’s son, Prof Sir Neil MacCormick, who presented Alex Salmond with the fragment of the stone back in 2008.

Mr Salmond, who was first minister from 2007 until 2014, said the fragment was handed to the SNP for safekeeping after he had “checked” with Historic Scotland that it was not wanted in the public collection.

However, the public body said it had “no records” of that check taking place.

The UK government’s Scottish ­Secretary, Alister Jack, and his ­predecessor Michael ­Forsyth said Mr Salmond should not have accepted the gift in the first place, and called for it to be put on display alongside the rest of the stone.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said it was one of Scotland’s most important cultural artefacts and should not be kept in a cupboard in an SNP office.