NICOLA Sturgeon has spoken about the emerging details of the criminal case against Alex Salmond saying she wants to see “justice done”.

The former First Minister is accused of 14 sex crimes, including an attempted rape at his former official residence Bute House.

He is also accused of intent to rape, 10 sexual assaults and two indecent assaults.

He strongly denies the allegations and intends to plead not guilty to all of them.

Mr Salmond appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh this morning for a short preliminary hearing, where a four week trial was set for March next year.

READ MORE: Alex Salmond accused of sexual offences against 10 women

In her first response to this morning’s events, Ms Sturgeon told the media at Holyrood it would be inappropriate for her to comment on the legal process.

But she said: “The only thing I would say, as First Minister, and as an ordinary citizen, is that my only interest is in seeing justice done, whatever that may be, but that of course is a matter for the courts with all due process.”

Asked if she had any concern it might impact on the general election, she said: “No, I don’t. But I’m not going to comment any further on that. You appreciate anything at all I say about ort around this issue has the potential to lead to coverage and headlines that would not be helpful in terms of ensuring due process and a fair trial.

“So I am going to respect the court process here because I think that is in the overriding interests of everybody involved.”

READ MORE: Alex Salmond due at High Court in Edinburgh today 

Asked about her personal feelings today, she said: "I think the best thing I can do for everybody concerned is to allow that to proceed and to allow that to conclude.

“There will come a point where you will have questions and I will be very willing and very keen to answer all of those questions, but that time for reasons you understand is not now.”

She declined to say whether she had been cited as a witness.