Alex Salmond made a statement "absolutely refuting" any criminality as he faces a string of charges including sexual assault and attempted rape.

The former first minister faces 14 charges in total, two alleging attempted rape, nine alleging sexual assault, two alleging indecent assault and one alleging breach of the peace.

He made no formal plea as he appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today but denied all allegations in a statement outside court.

The Herald:

Arriving at court, the former first minister was accompanied by solicitor advocate Callum Anderson of Glasgow law firm Levy & McRae, and by his former special adviser and spindoctor Campbell Gunn.

After the hearing, Mr Salmond spoke outside the court, saying he "absolutely refutes" any criminal allegations against him. 

Mr Salmond said: "In September, shortly after I became aware of a police investigation, my solicitors wrote on my instruction to Police Scotland indicating that I was happy to meet them.

"Yesterday, by prior agreement and consistent with my previous offers, I voluntarily attended a police station with my solicitor. I co-operated fully with the police. I was released by the police after interview and agreed to attend court today.

"I have always maintained that I have never engaged in criminality and that remains my position. I said throughout the Judicial Review that it would be inappropriate to comment further until the conclusion of that case and I did not do so until I gave my full statement on the steps of the Court of Session two weeks ago.

"Faithful to that principle, and given that the case is live, I am obviously not able to say anything more at this stage other than to reiterate that I absolutely refute any allegations of criminality."