Charles Green secures £6million payout for malicious prosecution

Former Rangers chief executive Charles Green is to receive more than £6.3 million in compensation over a malicious prosecution.

At a Court of Session hearing, his legal team confirmed he had accepted a settlement of £6,393,046 compensation plus legal costs from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Mr Green was unveiled as the new man behind the Glasgow side in June 2012. He stepped down the following year.

But in 2015, he and five others, including former director Imran Ahmad, were charged with serious organised crime offences in relation to the acquisition of the club.

Earlier this year, the then Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC apologised to Mr Green and Mr Ahmad, admitting the pair “should never have been prosecuted” in connection with the football club takeover.

Following the hearing on Tuesday, Greg Whyte of Mr Green's solicitors Jones Whyte told Clyde 1 News: “It’s positive that we were able to settle this case in terms that are acceptable to Mr Green.

“His reaction is one of relief, and he looks forward to drawing a line under this particular chapter of his life.”

Mr White also said: “It’s pleasing obviously to know that there’s going to be a public enquiry into what happened here.

“From Mr Green’s perspective he’s simply looking for a bit of time away from lawyers and courts. But when the time arises hopefully the public enquiry does it’s job and questions are answered.”

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The previous Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC made a statement in the Scottish Parliament and committed the Crown to further public accountability and a process of inquiry once all litigation has concluded.

“There are long-standing and robust processes in place to minimise the possibility that wrongful prosecutions are brought.

“We have strengthened these through the introduction of case management panels which provide an additional layer of scrutiny and direction from senior prosecutors.”

Mr Wolffe was replaced by Dorothy Bain QC in June, having stood down from his post.

Ms Bain has since recused herself from involvement in any matters related to litigation following the prosecution of individuals in respect of the acquisition and administration of Rangers Football Club.

This is due to the issue of a perceived conflict of interest as she has previously acted for a firm of solicitors who represented the corporate entity, Duff and Phelps.

The Solicitor General for Scotland, Ruth Charteris QC, is now responsible for issuing instructions to the independent legal team and senior counsel advising on these cases.

David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, who were appointed joint administrators of Rangers in February 2012, were also among those to have charges against them dropped and were awarded more than £20 million.

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