Government staff offered 'wellbeing support' ahead of Alex Salmond trial

Civil servants have been offered support in case their wellbeing is affected by the trial of former First Minister, Alex Salmond, which is due to start next Monday, it has been revealed.

Alex Salmond appearing at an earlier hearing.

According to reports, all Scottish Government staff received an email this morning from human resources, offering support.

The email said if they had "concerns about the impact of the proceedings on their work or their wellbeing”, then “guidance about the range of support available” would be available.

The email stated: “As an organisation and as individuals we must not do anything which might risk causing prejudice to the criminal proceedings. The sensible course of action for members of staff is to make no comment about this case and, in particular, this includes on social media in either a professional or a personal capacity.”

Sixty-five-year-old Alex Salmond is facing 14 criminal charges: one count of attempted rape, one of sexual assault with intent to rape, 10 of sexual assault and two of indecent assault. He denies all of the allegations, which relate to 10 women between June 2008 and November 2014.