Former First Minister Alex Salmond has been arrested and charged.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

A police spokesperson told The Herald: “We can confirm a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

"Proceedings are now live under the contempt of court act."

No details of any charges have been released by the force.

Mr Salmond, from Linlithgow, West Lothian, was Scotland's first minister from 2007 to 2014.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh told MSPs prior to First Minister's Questions: "Members will be aware of reports in the media this morning that the former first minister Alex Salmond has been arrested.

"As I hope members will also be aware, and as applies with all such matters, that means that parliamentary rules on sub-judice apply as this case is now active."

Mr Salmond had been under investigation by Police Scotland following claims of sexual harassment against him. He strenuously denies the allegations.

Earlier this month, the former SNP leader won a procedural case against the Scottish Government over its investigation into harassment allegations brought by two women.

He resigned his membership of the party in August 2018 after the allegations emerged.

The Scottish Government's handling of the allegations against Mr Salmond was ruled unlawful by Scotland's highest civil court.