Lothian and Borders police have confirmed that they are considering whether to proceed to bring charges against Crown Agent Norman MacFadyen, more than a week after receiving information from MSP Christine Grahame in respect of his handling of the Lockerbie investigation.

Macfadyen is presently on leave and cannot be contacted.

Lothian and Borders police said they were considering the content of Ms Grahame's letter, and would not rule out bringing charges against MacFadyen. A police press officer said that they could not give any indication as to what will happen in the future.

The contents of Ms Grahame's letter are not known. However on 17 July the Crown Office took the unprecedented step of issuing a statement in defence of Mr MacFadyen, saying he was  "a man of the utmost integrity who is held in the highest regard by the Law Officers.”

The Crown statement added that Ms Grahame's letter contained “defamatory and entirely unfounded allegations of the most serious kind,” although to date The Firm understands that no action for defamation is proceeding.