Alex Salmond's accusers say bringing case was 'the right thing to do'

The nine women who made sexual assault allegations against former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond say they were "devastated" after he was acquitted.

The women spoke almost a week after the former SNP leader was cleared of 13 charges, including an allegation of attempted rape, by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh.

They said that, although the experience of taking their claims to court had been "traumatic", it had also been the "right thing to do".

In a joint statement, they said: "While we are devastated by the verdict, we will not let it define us.

"We hope through shining a light on our experiences, it will serve to protect and empower women in the future.

"Today we want to send a strong and indisputable message that such behaviours should not be tolerated - by any person, in any position, under any circumstances."

The complainants, known in court as only Woman C, Woman D, Woman F, Woman G, Woman H, Woman J, and Woman K, released their statement through charity Rape Crisis Scotland.

They thanked Police Scotland, the Crown Office, and Procurator Fiscal Service for "taking our experiences seriously and for allowing our voices to be heard".

"We remain firm in our belief that coming forward to report our experiences and concerns was the right thing to do."

They added: "All people should feel safe, valued and equal in society and their workplace and it is imperative to ensure robust complaint structures are in place.

"We should all take strength in calling out bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault wherever it takes place.

"And we should all seek to create an environment in which people can challenge and report these behaviours without hesitation or fear of retribution."

Mr Salmond, 65, had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, which were alleged to have taken place between June 2008 and November 2014.

During the trial, the prosecution had described him as a powerful man abusing his power to satisfy his sexual desires with impunity but Mr Salmond had said the claims against him were politically-motivated.

He was the leader of the SNP from 1990-2000 - and then for a second period between 2004 and 2014.

He formed a government at Holyrood by winning the 2007 Holyrood parliament elections and led Scotland to the brink of independence in the referendum of September 2014.