Sheriff suspended pending inquiry

Sheriff Hugh Neilson has been suspended

A sheriff who presides over Scotland's pilot youth court has been suspended pending an investigation into his fitness for office.

Sheriff Hugh Neilson's suspension follows a recommendation from Scotland's two most senior judges.

The Lord President, Lord Cullen, and his deputy, Lord Gill, will conduct the inquiry.

The Scottish Executive said it would not comment on the case until the inquiry had concluded.

A statement from the executive said: "Ministers will make no further comment on the suspension, or the circumstances leading to it, until that investigation is concluded.

"Ministers may ultimately have a formal legal role in such procedures and it would be inappropriate to have made any public comment at an earlier stage."

Sheriff Neilson, who presides over the youth court in Hamilton, could be removed from office if he is found "unfit for office by reason of inability, neglect of duty or misbehaviour".

His removal is immediate under Section 12 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland Act).