FORMER Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been charged on two counts of attempted rape and nine counts of sexual assault – he "refutes absolutely" the allegations of any criminality.

The Crown Office has released details of the charges against the 64-year-old, which also include two counts of indecent assault and a breach of the peace charge.

The details came after Salmond delivered a statement outside court, after he was arrested and charged by police, in which he denied "any criminality whatsoever".

Standing outside the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, he said: “Yesterday with my solicitor Callum Anderson I attended a police station in central Scotland. I was released on condition I came to the court today to face the charges against me. That I have now done.

“So, let me say at the outset I am innocent of any criminality whatsoever. As you’ll remember in the long process of judicial review, I made it clear in order to respect the court, that I would make no comment until proceedings had concluded.

“That I did in the statement I made on the steps of the court of session two weeks ago. Now that these proceedings, criminal proceedings, are live, it is even more important to respect the court, and therefore the only thing I can say, is I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality. And I will defend myself to the utmost in court.

“I’ve got great faith in the court system of Scotland. I’ve got recent cause to have great faith in the court system of Scotland. That is where I’ll state my case.

“Now, I’m informed court rules are that your questions and my answers might well breach court rules. You know me well enough to know that I’d love to say a great deal more, but I’ve got to observe the rules of the court, and in court is where I’ll state my case.

“And therefore, if you’ll forgive me, I’m going back in to consult my legal team. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.”

He arrived at court just before 2pm.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman earlier said: "We can confirm that a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged, and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

"Proceedings are now live under the contempt of court act."

READ MORE: First Minister gives public statement on Alex Salmond arrest

Salmond, from Linlithgow, West Lothian, was Scotland's first minister from 2007 to 2014.

He resigned his membership of the SNP in August 2018.

Salmond guided the party to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007 and then led a minority government as he became Scotland's first SNP First Minister.

In the 2011 election, he led the party to an unprecedented victory with a majority win, meaning the SNP's manifesto pledge to hold an independence referendum could be delivered.

But the result of the 2014 referendum - a 55% to 45% vote to stay in the UK - led to him stepping down as first minister and SNP leader.

He made no plea during the private hearing, and is expected to appear in court at a later date.