Alex Salmond appears in court on charges of attempted rape and sexual assault
Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond has appeared in court charged with attempted rape and sexual assault.
Mr Salmond faced a total of 14 charges when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.
He was charged with two counts of attempted rape, nine counts of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one breach of the peace.
After a brief hearing, which was held in private, he said: “Now that these proceedings are live it is even more important to respect the court and therefore the only thing I can say is I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality and I will defend myself to the utmost in court.
“I’ve got great faith in the court system in Scotland.”
He made no plea during the hearing and was released on bail.
Mr Salmond was arrested on Wednesday after attending a police station in central Scotland.
From Linlithgow, West Lothian, was Scotland’s first minister from 2007 to 2014.
He resigned his membership of the SNP in August 2018.
Mr Salmond guided the party to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007 and then led a minority government as he became Scotland’s first SNP First Minister.
In the 2011 election, he led the party to an unprecedented victory with a majority win, meaning the SNP’s manifesto pledge to hold an independence referendum could be delivered.
But the result of the 2014 referendum – a 55% to 45% vote to stay in the UK – led to him stepping down as first minister and SNP leader.
Alex Salmond’s Statement In Full
“Yesterday, with my solicitor Callum 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 will remember in the long process of judicial review, I made it clear in order to respect the court that I would not make comment until proceedings are concluded.
“That I did, in the statement I made on the steps of the Court of Session two weeks ago.
“Now that these proceedings, criminal proceedings, are live, it’s even more important to respect the court, and, therefore, the only thing I can say is I refute absolutely the allegation of criminality and I will defend myself top the utmost in court.
“I have got great faith in the court system of Scotland. I have got recent cause to have great faith in the court system of Scotland – that is where I will state my case.
“Now, I’m informed that 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 have got to observe the rules of the court and in court is where I will state my case.
“Therefore, if you forgive me, I will go back in to consult my legal team. Thank you very much indeed.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2019, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Jane Barlow / PA Wire.
