SALMOND CLEARED
ALEX SALMOND has spoken of his two-year "nightmare" after being cleared of sexual offences in court today.
Scotland's former First Minister was found not guilty of all charges at the High Court in Edinburgh this afternoon.
Mr Salmond, 65, was acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts on 12 charges and returned a not proven verdict on a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.
Salmond had denied all the charges and giving evidence claimed some were "deliberate fabrications for a political purpose".
Jurors had returned to court on Monday to continue considering their verdicts in the trial.
SALMOND ACQUITTED
Mr Salmond denied 13 alleged sexual offences against nine women, who were all either working for the Scottish Government or within the SNP at the time.
Salmond, wearing his trademark saltire tie, showed little emotion as the verdicts were read out.
He turned to the two court security officers and said "thank you" to each of them.
Judge Lady Dorrian discharged Salmond and he said: "Thank you my lady," before leaving the courtroom.
Speaking outside court, Alex Salmond thanked those who supported him during the trial but said his “nightmare” was nothing compared to what the UK was suffering in the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Salmond said: "I would also like to thank the court service who have been courteous beyond limit over the last two weeks.
"Obviously above all I would like to thank my friends and family for standing by me the last two years.
"I would like to thank my brilliant legal team who are absolutely exceptional.
Whatever nightmare I have been in over these last two years it is as of nothing compared to the nightmare that every single one of us is currently living through.
Alex Salmond
"There is certain evidence that I would have liked to have seen led in this trial but for a variety of reasons we were not able to do so.
"At some point that information, that facts and that evidence will see the light of day.
"It won't be this day for a very good reason. And that is because whatever nightmare I have been in over these last two years it is as of nothing compared to the nightmare that every single one of us is currently living through.
"People are dying, many more are going to die.
"In my strong, strong advice to you is to go home, those who can and take care of your families and God help us all."
The accusations spanned a period between June 2008 and November 2014 and range from him stroking a civil servant's hair to trying to rape a former Scottish Government official in Bute House.
He was first arrested and charged by Police Scotland in relation to the allegations in January 2019.
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Judge Lady Dorrian on Friday told jurors they must decide whether the charges have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge asked the jury to begin considering their verdicts shortly before 2pm on Friday, but were sent home for the weekend to resume deliberations on Monday morning.
On Monday, the judge discharged two jurors, with the remaining 13 sent out to continue deliberations.
