Campaign for independence "bigger than any one man", says Nicola Sturgeon

The charges against former SNP leader Alex Salmond will not hit the drive for a second independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking after Salmond was charged with two attempted rapes and multiple counts of sexual assault, the First Minister said the campaign for independence was "bigger than any one man".

The former first minister faced a total of 14 charges when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this week.

He has described himself as "innocent of any criminality whatsoever" and vowed to fight the charges "to the utmost".

Sturgeon, who took over from Salmond as First Minister in the wake of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, was asked by the BBC's Andrew Marr whether the case would affect support for another vote on Scotland's future.

She said: "No, I don't think it has an impact on the future political and constitutional direction of Scotland.

"The case for independence is bigger than any one man. It's bigger than any one woman. It's not about individual personalities.

"It's about what is best for the country now and in the longer term. It's about how we put ourselves in the best position to protect our interests and build prosperity and fairness in Scotland.

"And that's a case, obviously, that the SNP is in the leading position in making. But it's a case that over the last few years has won many converts."

The FM has previously promised to set out plans for a second Scottish referendum before the UK leaves the European Union in March.

Scotland voted in favour of remaining in the EU in 2016 and the SNP has argued that Brexit represents a "material change" to the UK's constitutional settlement since the 2014 rejection of independence.

She said today: "Once we know which direction this is going in - and I hope that will be over the next few weeks, it has to be over the next few weeks - I will set out my views at that time on the best timing for another independence referendum."

Elsewhere in the interview, Sturgeon declined to say whether or not she had spoken to Police Scotland as part of the investigation into Salmond, saying she would "not comment on any aspect of the police investigation".

"That's not a matter of choice, necessarily, that is the obligation that I, like everybody else, are under to respect due process," she said.

As well as one charge of breach of the peace, Salmond is accused of two indecent assaults.

He also faces nine charges of sexual assault as well as the two accusations of attempted rape.

The ex-SNP leader made no plea during his brief court appearance this week and was released on bail.

Speaking outside the court, Salmond said: "Now that these proceedings - criminal proceedings - are live it is even more important to respect the court, and therefore the only thing I can say is I refute absolutely the allegations of criminality and I'll defend myself to the utmost in court.

"I've got great faith in the court system of Scotland. I've recent cause to have great faith in the court system of Scotland. That is where I'll state my case."