Former First Minister Alex Salmond has been charged with two attempted rapes and nine sexual assaults.

The 64-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after being arrested by police on Wednesday.

Salmond has been accused of two counts of attempted rape and nine sexual assaults.

He has also been charged with two indecent assaults and a breach of the peace.

He made no plea or declaration during the private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was committed for further examination.

Salmond is expected to next appear in court at a later date.

Outside court, Salmond said: "Yesterday, with my solicitor Callum Anderson, I attended a police station in central Scotland.

"I was released on condition that 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 will remember in the long process of judicial review, I made it clear in order to respect the court that I would not make comment until proceedings are concluded.

"That I did, in the statement I made on the steps of the Court of Session two weeks ago."

He added: "Now that these proceedings, criminal proceedings, are live, it's even more important to respect the court, and, therefore, the only thing I can say is I refute absolutely the allegation of criminality and I will defend myself top the utmost in court.

"I have got great faith in the court system of Scotland. I have got recent cause to have great faith in the court system of Scotland - that is where I will state my case.

"Now, I'm informed that 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 have got to observe the rules of the court and in court is where I will state my case.

"Therefore, if you forgive me, I will go back in to consult my legal team. Thank you very much indeed."

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government admitted it acted unlawfully while investigating sexual harassment claims against Salmond, which he denies.

Nicola Sturgeon said the news of her predecessor's arrest would come as "a shock to many", but added due to proceedings now being live she would not comment in detail.

Speaking to the media before First Minister's Questions, she said: "I know this will be a shock to many people but as Police Scotland have said today, these are now live criminal proceedings

"Now more than ever it would be completely inappropriate for me or anyone else for that matter to comment in any detail.

"I hope both the media and indeed members of the public will understand that position."

Mr Salmond, from Aberdeenshire, was the First Minister from 2007 to 2014. He resigned following the "No" vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

Mr Salmond then returned to frontline politics when he was elected as the SNP MP for Gordon in 2015 and became the party's foreign affairs spokesman at Westminster before losing the seat in the general election two years later.

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."