DAMAGES BID

Former Rangers administrator David Grier suing Crown for £2m over wrongful arrest during takeover probe

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FORMER Rangers administrator David Grier is suing the Crown for £2million over his wrongful arrest during the takeover probe.

The ex-Duff & Phelps executive, 58, has also demanded a public apology from the Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC over the botched investigation.

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Mr Grier is suing the Crown for £2m over his wrongful arrest
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Mr Grier demanded a public apology from Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC

Lawyers for Mr Grier — already pursuing £9million from Police Scotland — have demanded officials say sorry after they admitted the “malicious prosecution” of his former colleagues David Whitehouse and Paul Clark last month.

The pair were awarded an interim payment of £600,000 at the Court of Session in Edinburgh and will receive an apology from Mr Wolffe.

However, in official papers lodged with the Crown, Mr Grier’s lawyers said: “Any such apology must include Mr Grier. Anything less would be indicative of further malice against Mr Grier and highly detrimental to his reputation.

“We now formally advise you that we hold instruction to commence an action against the Lord Advocate for the malicious prosecution of Mr Grier, based on the same admissions now made in the case against you by Mr Whitehouse and Mr Clark.”

Mr Grier was arrested in 2014 on fraud charges relating to Craig Whyte’s Ibrox takeover two years earlier, but they were later dropped.

The summons reveals that Mr Grier is suing for £2million plus expenses but is also open to settling out of court.

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Mr Grier was wrongly arrested in 2014 amid the Rangers takeover probe
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Allegations against Charles Green were droppedCredit: Getty Images - Getty

It adds: “As a result of his being prosecuted maliciously, the pursuer suffered loss and damage.

“He was suspended from employment after his detention, pending resolution of the charges.

“He was paid his salary but was deprived of bonuses, details of which will be produced.

“He suffered serious damage to his reputation and was deprived of promotion opportunities as a result.

“He lost contact with business associates as a result of being tainted with allegations of fraud, which he has never been able to re-establish.”

We told last week how ex-Gers chairman Charles Green will also receive compensation and an apology after the case against him was axed.

Former owner Mr Whyte was cleared of fraud in 2017. The Crown refused to comment.

douglas.walker@the-sun.co.uk