Former first minister Alex Salmond has appeared in court accused of multiple counts of sexual assault and attempted rape.
Salmond, of Aberdeenshire, is facing nine charges of sexual assault, two of attempted rape, two of indecent assault and a charge of breach of the peace.
He made no plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on petition this afternoon.
His case was continued for further examination and he was released on bail.
Pleading innocence
The former Scottish first minister pleaded his innocence after being arrested and charged by police earlier today.
In a statement he said: “In September, shortly after I became aware of a police investigation, my solicitors wrote on my instruction to Police Scotland indicating that I was happy to meet them.
“Yesterday, by prior agreement and consistent with my previous offers, I voluntarily attended a police station with my solicitor.
“I have always maintained that I have never engaged in criminality and that remains my position.
“I said throughout the Judicial Review that it would be inappropriate to comment further until the conclusion of that case.
“I am not able to say anything more at this stage other than to reiterate that I absolutely refute any allegations of criminality.”
The Crown Office confirmed that was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal and that proceedings are now active under the Contempt of Court Act.”