Britain's ex-ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray hands himself into police in Edinburgh as he begins eight month jail term for contempt of court over Alex Salmond sex trial blog
A former British ambassador to Uzbekistan has handed himself in to police as he is set to begin an eight-month prison sentence.
Blogger and pro-independence campaigner Mr Murray, 62, was judged to have been in contempt of court over blogs he wrote during the trial of former first minister Alex Salmond.
His offending blog posts contained details which, if pieced together, could lead readers to identify women who made allegations against Mr Salmond.
Alba Party leader Mr Salmond was acquitted of all 13 charges including sexual assault and attempted rape in March last year.
Former diplomat Mr Murray today arrived at St Leonard's police station in Edinburgh to hand himself in and was joined by family and supporters.
Britain's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray spends final moments with members of his family, raising a glass with daughter Emily Murray outside St Leonard's Police Station in Edinburgh
A supporter waits for Britain's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray outside St Leonard's Police Station in Edinburgh on August 1
A badge is pictured, worn by a supporter of Britain's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray outside St Leonard's Police Station
Mr Murray drank from what appeared to be a bottle of champagne and thanked the crowd for their attendance, one video on social media showed, before embracing his wife Nadira and five-month-old son Oscar.
All victims of sexual offences, including children, are automatically guaranteed anonymity for life from the moment they make an allegation that they are the victim of a sexual offence.
A victim is guaranteed anonymity even when someoAne else accuses the defendant of the offence. In Scotland, the law is different but the practice of respecting anonymity is the same.
At a virtual sentencing in May, Lady Dorrian said Murray knew there were court orders giving the women anonymity and he was 'relishing' the potential disclosure of their identities.
Lady Dorrian said Murray deliberately risked what is known as 'jigsaw identification'.
She said: 'It appears from the posts and articles that he was in fact relishing the task he set himself, which was essentially to allow the identities of complainers to be discerned - which he thought was in the public interest - in a way which did not attract sanction.'