Lothian and Borders police have confirmed that MSP Christine Grahame's letter -in which she makes claims regarding Crown Agent Norman McFadyen's handling of the Lockerbie investigation- has been passed to the force's Criminal Investigations Department (CID). 

The force have repeatedly refused to address whether any investigations have begun, whether charges are likely to be brought, or even provide a likely timeframe for such a decision. The police had previously only confirmed that the letter had been received. The news that the CID are now examining its contents raises the possibility that a criminal investigation may follow.

"In relation to your request for information about the letter sent by Ms Grahame we can confirm that the letter contains a significant amount of information which is currently being considered by the Criminal Investigation Department," the force said in a statement from the Head of CID.

"Lothian and Borders Police will reply to Ms Grahame once the information contained in the letter has been considered."

A prosecution against a sitting Crown Agent would be unprecedented.

The details of Ms Grahame's claims are not known. However, following its receipt by the police, 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.