Peer faces assault charge

THE DUKE of Hamilton is to appear in court in January, charged with assaulting a police officer and road traffic offences, after an incident in Haddington, East Lothian, at the weekend, writes James Cusick.

Angus Alan Douglas Douglas- Hamilton - the 15th Duke of Hamilton, and hereditary keeper of the Palace of Holyrood - was given bail after being arrested. Although Lothian and Borders Police have not named the duke, they confirmed that 'a 54-year-old man had been arrested on 20 December and charged with road traffic offences'.

The Duke of Hamilton's younger brother, Lord James, is the Tory MP for Edinburgh West, and a government minister at the Scottish Office, with responsibility for road and transport issues.