Alex Salmond acquitted of attempted rape and sexual assaults

Alex Salmond has been acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults, including one with intent to rape.

The former first minister of Scotland was cleared of all charges by a jury following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

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”.

The 65-year-old was first arrested and charged by Police Scotland in relation to the allegations in January 2019.