Salmond back in court

FORMER first minister Alex Salmond arrives at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday for a second procedural hearing ahead of his trial in March. Mr Salmond is accused of offences against 10 women, including attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults. He denied all charges against him and a trial date was set for March 9.

ALEX Salmond’s trial for a series of alleged sex crimes while first minister is to start on March 9.

Lady Dorrian confirmed the date at the end of a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh attended by Mr Salmond.

The trial is expected to last around four weeks.

Mr Salmond, 65, is accused of 14 charges involving 10 complainers. He denies them all.

The former first minister is accused of one count of attempted rape, one of sexual assault with intent to rape, 10 counts of sexual assault, and two counts of indecent assault.

The alleged incidents date from June 2008 to November 2014, and nine of the charges relate to alleged incidents at Bute House, his former official residence in Edinburgh.

The indictment alleges Mr Salmond attempted to rape a woman at Bute House in Edinburgh in June 2014.

It also alleges he sexually assaulted another woman with intent to rape in Bute House in December 2013.

It also alleges he sexually assaulted other women in Bute House, in the Scottish Parliament, in a Glasgow restaurant, an Edinburgh nightclub, Stirling Castle and in a motor vehicle.