Alex Salmond charged with two attempted rapes and multiple sexual assaults
2 min read
Alex Salmond has been charged with two attempted rapes and multiple counts of sexual assault.
The former First Minister faced a total of 14 charges when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday afternoon.
As well as one charge of breach of the peace, Mr Salmond is also accused of two indecent assaults.
He also faces nine charges of sexual assault as well as the two accusations of attempted rape.
The ex-SNP leader made no plea during his brief court appearance and was released on bail.
His arrest came after Mr Salmond took the Scottish government to court over the way it handled allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by two civil servants.
The Scottish government was forced to concede it had made procedural errors when investigating the complaints and Mr Salmond was awarded costs running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Speaking to reporters outside court this afternoon, Mr Salmond said: "Yesterday with my solicitor Karen Anderson I attended a police station in central Scotland. I was released on condition that I came to the court today to face the charges against me. That I have now done.
"So let me say at the outset: I am innocent of any criminality whatsoever. As you'll remember in the long process of judicial review, I made it clear in order to respect the court that I would make no comment until proceedings had concluded. That I did in the statement I made and the steps of the court of session two weeks.
"Now that these proceedings - criminal proceedings - are live it is even more important to respect the court, and therefore the only thing I can say is I refute absolutely the allegations of criminality and I'll defend myself to the utmost in court.
"I've got great faith in the court system of Scotland. I've recent cause to have great faith in the court system of Scotland. That is where I'll state my case.
"Now, I'm informed court rules are that your questions and my answers might well breach court rules. You know me well enough to know that I'd love to say a great deal more. But I've got to observe the rules of the court - and in court is where I'll state my case. And therefore if you'll forgive me I'll go back to consult my legal team."
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