Alex Salmond cleared of all sexual assault charges

Responding to the announcement on Thursday evening, Mr Salmond who is the former First Minister of Scotland...

...said the verdict had been a "complete vindication" of him.

He was found not guilty of 13 charges against him, including attempted rape, at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The jury of eight women and five men returned majority verdicts on all of the charges he faced.

Mr Salmond had denied all of the charges against him, saying they were "deliberate fabrications for political purposes".

In a statement, he said: "I have always maintained my innocence in relation to all of these allegations and I am grateful that the jury has agreed with me."

"This has been a long and difficult ordeal for me and my family, but I am relieved that it is now over."

"I would like to thank my legal team for their hard work and dedication, and I would also like to thank my supporters who have stood by me throughout this process."

"I am now looking forward to putting this behind me and moving on with my life."