The owner of Rangers Football Club, Craig Whyte, is reportedly seeking legal advice in preparation to launch a lawsuit against BBC Scotland for defamation over a documentary it aired about him in October.
Mr Whyte is understood to have consulted Glasgow law firm Bannatyne Kirkwood France (BKF) and Co. to start legal proceedings against BBC Scotland. He is claiming that the documentary, entitled Rangers: The Inside Story, made “unfounded and defamatory allegations” against him in relation to alleged criminality in his past dealings.
Under Scottish Law, Mr Whyte has up to three years from the date the documentary was aired to launch a lawsuit for defamation of character.
In response to Mr Whyte’s claims, a spokesperson for BBC Scotland said:
“We stand by the investigation which was produced according to our rigorous editorial standards on fairness, accuracy and impartiality.
“As the programme makes clear, Craig Whyte took the opportunity to respond to questions which were put to him during the course of the production.”
If the case does go to court, BBC Scotland may need to rely on its professional insurance in order to fight the case.