Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond walked out of Edinburgh’s High Court a free man on Monday after a jury acquitted him of all 13 sexual offence charges brought against him in a two-week trial.

Speaking outside the court after the verdict, Mr Salmond, who had told the court that some of the charges against him were “political fabrications”, said the trial had “reinforced” his faith in Scotland’s court system.

Mr Salmond, also a former leader of the Scottish National party, made clear that he intended to pursue those in the Scottish government and SNP that his defence lawyers suggested had orchestrated the allegations against him.

“There was certain evidence I would like to have seen [presented] in this trial but for a variety of reasons we weren’t able to do so,” Mr Salmond said. “At some point that information, that fact and that evidence will see the light of day.”

However, he said the release of any such information would have to wait because of the UK coronavirus crisis. “Whatever nightmare I have been in these last few years, it is as nothing compared to the nightmare that every single one of us is currently living through,” he said.

The verdict may well fuel divisions within the governing SNP. Many in the party, including some supporters of Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond’s successor as SNP leader and first minister, are likely to be dismayed by the rejection of allegations from a number of officials and colleagues. But others have said Mr Salmond had been unfairly targeted.

Joanna Cherry, a high-profile SNP member of the UK parliament, welcomed the verdict. “Mr Salmond has been vindicated and serious questions now arise about the background to these cases,” Ms Cherry said.

In a statement, Ms Sturgeon said the verdict had to be respected, but that she was currently focused “100 per cent” on the coronavirus crisis.

“I have no doubt that there will be further discussion around this issue . . . in the fullness of time, and I will welcome that,” she said. “But that time is not now.”

Mr Salmond had faced 13 charges, including one of attempted rape, in relation to a total of nine women. A further charge of sexual assault had been dropped by prosecutors during the trial.

The jury found Mr Salmond not guilty on 12 of the charges and decided that one charge of sexual assault was “not proven”, a unique Scottish verdict that has the same legal effect but is often seen to signal doubt on the part of jurors.

All of the verdicts were by a majority of the 13-member jury. Two jurors had been discharged at the beginning of deliberations on Monday.

Jackson Carlaw, leader of the opposition Scottish Conservatives, said Ms Sturgeon and the SNP faced “very serious” questions.

“The court case may be over, but for them this is just the beginning,” Mr Carlaw said. “This remains a national political scandal with profound questions of integrity for the first minister and her SNP government.”

“However, that opportunity must be deferred for the time being while all our efforts and resources concentrate on Covid-19,” he said.

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