Following the club’s collapse in 2012, David Grier, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark of Duff & Phelps were appointed as administrators. All three were later arrested and detained over alleged fraud linked to Rangers’ financial collapse and subsequent sale. They were ultimately cleared of all charges.

The prosecutions and their aftermath have cost the public purse about £60 million, including compensation payments to individuals found to have been maliciously prosecuted, as well as substantial legal expenses. The controversy also led to calls for greater scrutiny of the actions taken by police and prosecutors.

In February 2021, Nicola Sturgeon’s government and the then lord advocate, James Wolffe, agreed to establish an independent, judge-led public inquiry into the handling of the case. However, progress since that announcement has been limited.

Mr Wolffe stepped down three months later and was succeeded by Dorothy Bain KC, who recused herself from involvement in related civil proceedings.

Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has asked ministers to clarify what steps, if any, have been taken to advance the promised inquiry.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance responded: “There is a commitment to a process of inquiry into the circumstances of the malicious prosecutions. Details of the process of inquiry will be progressed once all related investigations and proceedings are concluded.

“The Crown Office advise that Shelagh McCall KC has been instructed to independently consider reports of criminal conduct relating to the Rangers prosecutions and this is to ensure that any allegations are considered fairly and objectively. It would not be appropriate to comment further while this process continues.”

Yer Mr Findlay said he had been given a near-identical response to a similar question – in June 2023, adding: “The familiar stench of an SNP cover-up is growing around the Rangers malicious prosecution scandal.

“Having sought to imprison and destroy men they knew to be innocent, the Crown Office was bailed out with vast sums of taxpayers’ money. Yet John Swinney’s government is now content that the same Crown Office is capable of pursuing potential criminality within its own ranks.

“These lengthy delays are concerning and suspicious but SNP ministers don’t seem bothered”.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Office said: “The Scottish parliament has agreed there should be a judge-led inquiry into the Rangers cases and the Crown is supportive of that.

“There are long-established and robust processes to minimise the possibility of wrongful prosecutions. We have strengthened these processes further.”

She added: “Shelagh McCall KC has been instructed to independently consider reports of criminal conduct relating to the Rangers prosecutions. This is to ensure that any allegations are considered fairly and objectively. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific details while this process continues.”