Former First Minister Alex Salmond arrives at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this afternoon
Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond today arrived at court after being arrested and charged by police.
The 64-year-old former Scottish National Party leader arrived at Edinburgh Sheriff Court shortly before 2pm this afternoon.
Salmond had been under investigation by Police Scotland following claims of sexual harassment.
He strenuously denies the allegations, and it is not known if today's charge is linked to those complaints.
Today, walked through crowds of press and public and flanked by two men for the hearing. Dressed in a dark overcoat and blue shirt, Salmond shook hands with people waiting outside the court.
A Police Scotland spokesman 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.'
STV News had reported that he was not believed to be in custody. The procurator fiscal office, Salmond's spokesman and his lawyer have all not yet commented.
Salmond arrived at the court today after he was arrested and charged by Police Scotland
It has not yet been revealed what charges Salmond (pictured at court this afternoon) is facing
It comes a fortnight after Salmond, from Linlithgow, West Lothian, won a legal battle with the Scottish government over its handling of sex allegations against him.
Scotland's highest court said on January 8 the government inquiry into harassment claims against the former SNP leader was unlawful and 'tainted with apparent bias'.
The Scottish government began investigating complaints by two women last January, dating back to 2013 when Salmond was first minister.
Salmond, who was first minister between 2007 and 2014, last August, claiming the investigation was unfair.
Photographers take pictures of the former Scottish first minister arriving at the court today
Police will send a report to the procurator fiscal on the case involving Salmond (above, today)
Salmond (centre) arrives with solicitors David Mckie (left), Beverley Atkinson (right) and adviser Campbell Gunn (second right) at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on January 8
The Court of Session then ruled in his favour after hearing that the government's investigator spoke to the women weeks before they formally complained.
After the finding, Salmond called on Scotland's top civil servant to quit her post after accusing her of 'wasting' hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money defending the administration's 'unlawful' handling of allegations against him.
The allegations against Salmond first came to light at a time when a number of politicians in Westminster faced allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Today, Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh told MSPs prior to First Minister's Questions: 'Members will be aware of reports in the media this morning that the former first minister Alex Salmond has been arrested.
'As I hope members will also be aware, and as applies with all such matters, that means that parliamentary rules on sub-judice apply as this case is now active.'
Salmond's successor Nicola Sturgeon learned of the arrest from media reports this morning, sources said.
It is understood she has not spoken to the former first minister since July 2018.
Salmond resigned his membership of the SNP in August 2018.
He 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 per cent to 45 per cent vote to stay in the UK - led to him stepping down as first minister and SNP leader
How Alex Salmond became the face of Scottish nationalism
Alex Salmond and his wife Moira in 2015
The feisty politician, who hosts a weekly political chat show on Russia television channel RT, has been the face of Scottish nationalism for decades.
In 1990 he took over leadership of the SNP, steering the party towards the political centre just as Britain's New Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair was promising greater devolution to the home nations.
In the first elections for the devolved Scottish parliament in 1999, the SNP lost out to Labour and Salmond quit as leader.
He said his decision was 'forever', but he was re-elected in 2004 saying: 'I changed my mind.'
In 2007, Salmond became the first SNP first minister, leading a minority government for four years before sweeping to a majority victory in 2011.
That win paved the way for the 2014 independence referendum, which he spearheaded in typically ebullient fashion, urging Scots to 'break the shackles' of the 307-year-old union with England.
Salmond with his successor Nicola Sturgeon in Perth, Scotland, in October 2013
But after 55 percent voted to stay part of the United Kingdom, Salmond stepped down as first minister and party leader - vowing that the dream of more power for Scotland would nonetheless live on.
'For me as leader, my time is nearly over. But for Scotland, the campaign continues and the dream shall never die,' he said at the time.
Following the emergence of the harassment allegations last August, Salmond resigned from the SNP. He has said that he intends to apply to rejoin once he has cleared his name.
Salmond's charisma has proved hugely effective through his career, particularly in the long campaign for independence.
But it also disguised what aides called an 'explosive temper' and a talent for the scathing political put-down.
Queen Elizabeth II meets Salmond at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in May 2007
His supporters praise his unflagging determination and his political know-how, while his opponents brand him arrogant and misogynistic with a penchant for populism.
Many on both sides agree that he is one of the most talented politicians of his generation.
Sociable in public, Salmond is discreet about his private life. His wife Moira is 17 years older than he is and is only rarely seen by his side. The couple have no children.
His passions are horse racing, good wine and curry, along with football and that Scottish invention - golf.
Salmond also likes a good singalong. His favourite tune is 'Scots Wha Hae' - an ode to an epic victory against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn 700 years ago.
By Agence France-Presse reporters
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Former First Minister Alex Salmond arrives at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this afternoon
Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond today arrived at court after being arrested and charged by police.
The 64-year-old former Scottish National Party leader arrived at Edinburgh Sheriff Court...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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