Rangers Football Club legal proceedings: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for, in terms of the sale of Rangers Football Club:

1. What is the expected timescale for these legal proceedings to be concluded. Clearly the longer this drags on then that may affect the inquiry and so the speedy resolution of any legal proceedings should be a priority.

2. While awaiting the resolution of any legal matters would it not be prudent to appoint a judge and team to begin the work asap even in the evidence gathering stage and preparatory work.

3. Who is in charge of deciding these matters i.e. appointing the judge, deciding timescales and ensuring the whole matter is progressed timeously.

Response

The following may be helpful:

1. In terms of the timescale on legal proceedings to be concluded, the position of the Scottish Government is that there is a commitment to a process of inquiry into the circumstances of the malicious prosecutions. This process of inquiry including the details of the inquiry process will be progressed once all related investigations and proceedings are concluded. While a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, they have indicated that Shelagh McCall KC has been instructed to independently consider reports of criminal conduct relating to the Rangers prosecutions. They have further advised this is to ensure that any allegations are considered fairly and objectively.

2. As noted under 1, the process of inquiry including the details of the inquiry process will be progressed once all related investigations and proceedings are concluded.

3. It is for Scottish Government Ministers to decide.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.