Minister withdraws threat

A GOVERNMENT minister yesterday dropped a threat to sue a senior police officer for slander over the so-called Scottish 'homosexual judges' affair.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, a Scottish Office minister and formerly Scotland's Lord Advocate, said he had received a 'full apology' from Hector Clark, deputy chief constable of Lothian and Borders. Lord Fraser said: 'I now consider the matter to be closed.'

Reports at the weekend said Lord Fraser was considering legal action against an unnamed senior police officer over remarks allegedly made at Hearts, the Edinburgh football club.

Mr Clark said yesterday he was present at the match, but was unaware he said anything critical of Lord Fraser. 'If, however, I might have made such a statement, or one which could have been mistakenly so understood, I wish to withdraw it unreservedly and offer my full apologies.'