Alex Salmond due in court over attempted rape and sexual assault charges

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond is due to appear in court on a series of sexual assault and attempted rape charges. The preliminary hearing is to take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday. Mr Salmond faced a total of 14 charges, including two counts of attempted rape, when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on January 24. He has previously denied the allegations and said he will defend himself \"to the utmost\" in court. The 64-year-old was Scotland\'s first minister from 2007 to 2014. 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.