Sheriff Lindsay Wood under investigation over possible conflict of interest

Sheriff Lindsay Wood’s activity is being examined by Craig Turnbull, Sheriff Principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.

Sheriff Wood signed off on 22 warrants during the failed investigation into the takeover of Rangers between 2013 and 2015. One of them allowed officers to raid the offices in London of Holman Fenwick Willan, the law firm representing administrators Duff & Phelps. It was later found to be unlawful and made “without proper safeguards”.

Following the collapse of Rangers, David Grier, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, of consultancy firm Duff & Phelps, were appointed to deal with the club’s affairs. They were arrested but later cleared of all charges.

Mr Grier, 61, said: “I can confirm that my complaint to the Judicial Office of Scotland has been accepted. They have informed me that Sheriff Principal Turnbull has been appointed to look into it. I look forward to hearing the outcome of his investigation.”

The code of Scottish judicial ethics details that it is unacceptable for a judge to adjudicate on an issue in which they or family members have a financial interest. It adds: “An example of such an interest might be the holding of shares in a public company.”

The Judicial Office said: “Judicial conduct complaints are dealt with on a confidential basis in accordance with the Judiciary (Scotland) Rules 2017.”