The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Alex Salmond has High Court date next month.
Former first minister faces 14 charges including accusations of attempted rape
Alex Salmond will appear at the High Court in Edinburgh next month for a preliminary hearing in relation to accusations of attempted rape.
The case against the former first minister, who stepped down following the referendum in 2014, will call on November 21.
Salmond, 64, of Strichen, Aberdeenshire, faces 14 charges, mostly relating to the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
He is accused of two counts of attempted rape, nine of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one breach of the peace.
He has publicly denied allegations made against him.
The case is active in terms of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, making anything that creates a substantial risk of seriously prejudicing “active” proceedings a criminal offence.
Proceedings became active after Salmond was arrested and charged in January this year.
A preliminary hearing can considered to be a pre-trial hearing.
When the case calls in court the all the be accused will be present and will be asked to enter a plea to each charge.
If the accused is pleading not guilty to the charges, the court will then be advised about the state of preparation of the case.
The crown will tell the court about matters such as the number of witnesses likely to be called to give evidence and the likely length of the trial.
The court will also be told of any evidence that has been agreed between the Crown and defence – usually routine matters not in dispute.
The defence will also advise the court of the preparation of their case and whether any special defences are to be submitted – including self-defence, alibi or incrimination.
The sheriff will make any further investigations they consider are required and if satisfied all arrangements are in place will continue the case to the trial.
The “botched” investigation into complaints of sexual harassment against Salmond by the Scottish Government meant more than £500,000 was paid by the executive to him.
Mr Salmond quit the SNP and challenged the Scottish Government at the Court of Session following allegations levelled against him.
He launched a legal action – alongside a crowdfunder appeal which saw people hand him £100,000 – last August.
Lord Pentland said the government’s actions had been “unlawful in respect that they were procedurally unfair” and had been “tainted with apparent bias”. A parliamentary inquiry into the government’s handling of sexual harassment complaints has been postponed until after the conclusion of the High Court trial.