A bid to bring in police to probe the row that has ripped through Paisley Art Institute has failed.
Ousted secretary Steven Thomson reported some of the astonishing goings-on at the respected organisation to Police Scotland last week.
But yesterday the force confirmed it would not be launching a criminal action.
Steven Thomson drafted an official complaint to the police, detailing allegations of threats and harassment.
It was the latest move in the bitter squabble among the membership of the 145-year-old PAI.
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The Institute - owners of a £25 million collection of around 250 paintings - had its management committee removed in a vote of no confidence.
As we have told previously, PAI secretary Steven,56, was one of 13 people who lost their positions.
A new vote will take place later this month in a bid to install another board and try and steady the imploded organisation.
Rebel members had forced the board out over their fears for the ownership of the historic paintings, claims of being “too close” to Renfrewshire Leisure and anger at less space to exhibit them at the new Paisley Museum.
They’d planned to effectively seize control of the PAI cheque book with a caretaker board, but were told that was not possible.
The axed board have since insisted there is no intention to change the ownership of the paintings and that the collection - described as the “crown jewels” of Paisley - is safe.
Now a flurry of electioneering is underway among members to garner votes for named individuals to get on a new management committee.
The decision by police not to carry out a criminal investigation into alleged threats against Steven Thomson is an undoubted blow to him.
In a file to police seen by the Paisley Daily Express, Steven alleges he was the victim of harassment, claiming “hateful” comments had been made about him.
He told the police: “I feel threatened, defamed and abused to such an extent that I can no longer withhold this information or manage this situation personally.
“The trustees of the charity, myself, Rowena Comrie, Caroline Gormley, Eoghann MacColl, Denise MacColl, Maureen Rocksmoore, Richard Burgess and Graham Maloney have been subjected to a vitriolic campaign.”
Police Scotland revealed yesterday the matter was not being taken any further.
A spokeswoman said: “Officers were informed of a disagreement between committee members of a charity in Paisley on Mon 1 November 21.
“After discussion with the complainer, no criminality was established and advice was given.”
The charity regulator in Scotland, the OSCR, was made aware of the police report.
It said: “We are currently engaging with the charity (the PAI) and will continue to do so, but would not wish to make any further comment at this time.”
At the AGM in the Mile End Mill in Seedhill, the secretary had described the proceedings as “shambolic”.
In the end, the motion of no confidence in the trustees passed after gaining 30 votes, 26 against and eight members abstaining.
Under charity law, the PAI has to stage an election, rather than members declaring themselves as management.
The vote will take place on November 25 and candidates hoping to form the new committee will have to have declared five days earlier.
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