ON the day that yet another court case took place over the malicious prosecution of Rangers bosses, The National learned that an as yet unnamed complainant has lodged a claim for damages against the Crown Office in the sum of £25 million.

If conceded, the Crown might have to spend a total of more than £100m in damages and costs to the maliciously prosecuted businessmen involved in the administration and takeover of Rangers after the club collapsed and eventually went into liquidation.

Yesterday, former Rangers administrator David Grier went to court to seek £2m in damages from the Crown Office and a further £9m from Police Scotland who he alleges wrongfully arrested him.

Charles Green, 67, the club’s former chief executive, and former Rangers administrators, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, plus former club director, Imran Ahmad, have received public acknowledgement of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s malicious prosecution.

All four will be given damages said to run into millions, with Green alone reported to be suing for up to £20m, while Whitehouse and Clark are seeking more than £20m.

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The growing massive scandal of the Crown Office’s malicious prosecutions has had several legal experts speculating that the Scottish Government – ultimately responsible for paying damages and costs – may have to institute an inquiry into the running of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

One legal expert speaking on condition of anonymity said: “The decision to prosecute these men was taken by the then Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland who stepped up to the bench as Lord Mulholland, which is surely a conflict of interest as he is now being named in these cases.

“What’s more the current Lord Advocate James Wolffe continued with the cases months after independent counsel showed that the prosecution was wrong and founded on malice. Both men should step aside until these cases are completed.

“The legal costs alone will run into millions as will the cost of police time.”

Grier’s statement to the courts said: “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.”

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Laywers for Grier argued in court yesterday that the so-called Charlotte Fake evidence on which the police relied for their prosecution and which were shown to have been stolen from former club owner Craig Whyte should be disclosed to them to assist their case preparation.

Lord Tyre decreed that the evidence should be examined by a senior lawyer acting as a commissioner who would decide what could be released.

Meanwhile, the legal bill keeps growing. Green is now based in Dubai and over the last few years has had numerous legal and other consultants visit him there. A hearing to assess his damages will not take place until August next year.

The National revealed that Media House, the public relations firm run by Jack Irvine and Ramsay Smith, has been retained by Whitehouse and Green for the duration of the case.

Irvine told The National: “Neither of our clients wish to make any statements until the conclusion of the litigation involving them."