Nicola Sturgeon’s predecessor could be seen entering the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on his alleged attempted rape charge from 2014. The former SNP leader was escorted by 10 police officers to court. It is claimed that the attempted rape offence occurred at Bute House in the capital – the official residence of the First Minister – on an occasion in 2014 in the build-up to the independence referendum.

The charge alleges that “by lifting her legs and placing them over his legs, repeatedly kissing her on the face and neck, placing his hand inside her upper clothing and touching her breast over her underwear, repeatedly blocking her path, pinning her against a wall, pulling at her clothing and underwear, removing his clothing and underwear, pushing her on to a bed, kneeling over her, pinning her to the bed by her shoulder, lying naked on top of her … you did attempt to rape her.”

The charge was first heard in an Edinburgh court in November. 

Mr Salmond was also accused of sexually assaulting various women at a number of different locations including Baillieston in Glasgow and Stirling Castle, as well as in a car, at a nightclub and in an upmarket restaurant in Glasgow’s West End.

The former MP and MSP, who is referred to in court by his full name Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond, is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman with intent to rape in 2013.

He is alleged to have forced a woman to lie on his bed at the First Minister’s official residence, then pulled up her dress with intent to rape her.

Salmond – who was Scotland’s First Minister from 2007 to 2014 – is also accused of trying to kiss a woman’s foot in 2013.

Several of the charges involve Salmond allegedly groping women in places including the Ego nightclub in Edin­burgh in 2010 or 2011 and the Ubiquitous Chip restaurant in Glasgow’s Ashton Lane in 2012. 

Mr Salmond denies all 14 allegations and charges against him. 

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