Alex Salmond trial: Jury reduced to 13 as trial relocated to larger room over virus fears

Judge stresses reduction will not alter majority required for any guilty verdict

The jury in the Alex Salmond trial has been reduced from 15 to 13.

Judge Lady Dorrian told the remaining jurors two of their number had had to be discharged "for various reasons".

The two discharged were a man and a woman, leaving the jury now composed of eight women and five men.

First Minister Alex Salmond arrived at Edinburgh High Court this morniing on day eleven of his trial.

Mr Salmond denies 13 sex charges involving nine women.

Lady Dorrian told the jurors: "For various reasons we have had to discharge two of your number.

"We must continue with the remaining 13 of you.

“Can I make it clear to to you that the reduction in the number of jurors does not alter the majority required for any verdict of guilty.

"Before you can return a guilty verdict there must be eight members of your present number in favour of such a verdict."

In light of the coronavirus, the jury has also been given a bigger room to continue their deliberations.