Alex Salmond: Students asked whether stone tribute should be removed from campus after sex crime charges

Former first minister is accused of nine counts of sexual assault, two of attempted rape, two of indecent assault and one of breaching the peace

A student union in Scotland has opened – and swiftly closed – an online poll asking whether a rock engraved with words from Alex Salmond should be removed from campus.

The online vote for students at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh comes after the former first minister was charged with multiple sex crimes – which he denies.

The stone, installed in 2014, quotes the one-time SNP leader’s famous promise that: “The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scotland’s students.”

But just hours after Mr Salmond appeared in court on Thursday, the university’s student union announced on Facebook it was considering requesting the installation be removed – and asked for students to vote on the action.

It said: “Recently, we’ve received a number of messages from students regarding the Alex Salmond stone.

“It has come to our attention that the message, while originally well-intentioned, may not now represent our truly global Heriot-Watt student community.

“In addition to this, today’s news regarding the former first minister has prompted the executive committee … to consider whether or not it is appropriate for the stone to remain on campus. We would like to hear from you, our members on the matter.”

Responding to the poll – which stayed open just 24 hours – many students appeared unimpressed with the timing of the proposal.

“Not appropriate to seriously consider removing the stone until the truth comes out in court proceedings,” said one, Lee Haywood. “Innocent until proven guilty.”

Another, Gregor Munro, added: “I don’t think the university should get involved in a trial by media. Surely an educational establishment should know better?”

And former student John Doran added: “Such a shame to see my former student union conduct itself so horrendously on this.”

Exactly how many students officially voted is unclear but one comment online suggested some 320 people had registered their views with about 60 per cent in favour of keeping the rock.

It was not clear if the final results would actually be published.

Mr Salmond, who appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for a private hearing on Thursday afternoon, was charged with 14 offences: nine of sexual assault, two of attempted rape, two of indecent assault and one of breach of the peace.

The 64-year-old entered no plea during the short hearing and was released on bail. Appearing outside court afterwards, he told reporters he was not guilty of any of wrongdoing.

The Independent has contacted Heriot-Watt University’s student union for comment.