A former diplomat knew the names of the complainers in the Alex Salmond trial and took great care not to identify them on his blog, his lawyer has argued.

Craig Murray, a blogger and former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, faces a contempt of court hearing after posting about Salmond’s trial.

Former first minister Salmond (pictured) was cleared at the High Court in Edinburgh of 13 sexual assault charges involving nine women following a trial last year.