Alex Salmond has spoken outside court after being acquitted of all charges in a High Court trial.
The former First Minister had been accused of a string of sexual assaults and attempted rape.
The trial, in front of Lady Dorrian and a 15-strong jury, began at the High Court in Edinburgh on March 9.
On Monday, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on 12 charges and returned a not proven verdict on a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.
Speaking outside court Alex Salmond said his faith in Scotland’s court system has been “much reinforced today”.
He added: “I’d like to start by explaining that faith and thanking the jury for their decision.”
He also thanked those who have sent him messages, his “brilliant” legal team and the court service who he said have been “courteous beyond limit”.
Mr Salmond added: “As many of you will know there is certain evidence that I would have liked to have seen led in this trial but for a variety of reasons we were not able to do so.
“At some point that information, that facts and that evidence will see the light of day but it won’t be this day. And it won’t be this day for a very good reason.
“Whatever nightmare I’ve been in over these last two years it is nothing compared to the nightmare that every single one of us is currently living through.
“People are dying. Many more are going to die.
“My strong advice to you is to go home and those who are able take care of your families and God help us all.”
