University students are considering demanding the removal of a commemorative stone unveiled by Alex Salmond after he was charged with 13 sex offences including attempted rape.

Student union leaders at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are consulting members on whether the "Alex Salmond stone" should be removed from its grounds in the wake of the charges, which he denies.

But 60 per cent of the students that responded to an online poll opposed the move, saying it was premature as "the presumption of innocence" should be upheld while legal proceedings continue.

Mr Salmond unveiled the stone at the university on his final full day as Scottish First Minister in November 2014. It was funded by a Scottish Government agency and weighs nearly a ton.

It is inscribed with a quote from the former SNP leader stating: "The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scotland's students."

At the unveiling, Mr Salmond said the stone paid tribute to the policy of which he was most proud during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure, the abolition of university tuition fees for Scottish and EU students.

It is understood the university court would have the final say on whether the stone is removed, although a member of the student union has a seat on the governing body.