Alex Salmond cleared of sexual assault charges after a two week trial

Former First Minister Alex Salmond has just been cleared of all 12 sexual assault charges with one verdict returned as not proven after a two-week trial.

Nine women made a number of allegations that while he was Scotland's First Minister he had attempted to abuse his position to sexually assault them.

But a jury found the former SNP leader not guilty on 12 of the sexual assault charges facing him, while a charge of assault with intent to rape was found not proven.

Another charge of sexually assaulting a tenth woman had previously been dropped by prosecutors.

Mr Salmond maintained his innocence since the allegations had emerged and pleaded not guilty in court.

He said the claims made about his alleged conduct were "deliberate fabrications for a political purpose" and that he had "never attempted to have non-consensual sexual relations with anyone in my entire life."