A judge from outside Scotland could lead the inquiry into the malicious prosecutions concerning Rangers FC, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
The First Minister said, “there is argument for that” when she was challenged by Conservative MSP Russell Findlay on whether a judge from outside the country would lead the investigation into why two men were wrongfully prosecuted during a fraud probe relating to the sale of Rangers.
David Whitehouse and Paul Clark were appointed administrators when the company that ran Rangers went into administration in 2012.
They were arrested in 2014 but all charges were later dropped.
The Crown has since said their prosecution was “malicious” and both men were awarded £10.5 million each in damages and promised an independent investigation into what went wrong.
With other cases pending the total cost to the taxpayer could reach £100 million.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood, Sturgeon conceded the point that a judge from outside Scotland should lead the probe and said decisions on the remit and make-up of the inquiry have “got to be taken in the proper way in the proper time”.
She added: "We’re committed to this of course the crone office in prosecution matters acts entirely independently of ministers."
"It is important that there is a remit for this inquiry and that is led by a judge that commands confidence. That’s in the interest of everyone and we will take these decisions at once the proceedings have concluded.”
Tory MSP Findlay, who asked for an update on the plans for an inquiry said: “We don’t yet know how much these malicious prosecutions will end up costing taxpayers, the self inflicted damage to the Crown officers reputation is unquantifiable. “
