Donald Findlay QC was captured on video singing well-known sectarian songs following the Scottish Cup Final, between Rangers and Celtic, in May.

As a result he resigned from Rangers and has also faced disciplinary action by the Faculty of Advocates.

Donald Findlay: no comment

Now, in a break with the standard practice of awarding honorary degrees to Rectors Mr Findlay is not to have a degree conferred on him.

At a meeting on Friday, the Academic Council of the University of St Andrews, which acts on behalf of the University Senate, decided not to make the award although opinion was divided on the issue.

Their decision means Mr Findlay is the first Rector to have been refused an honorary degree at St Andrews.

Secretary and Registrar of the University David Corner said: "The Academic Council could not act, with regard to this matter, like a jury striving for a shared judgement.

"It, like any other section of the Scottish population, was inevitably divided on this issue.

'Lengthy debate'

"Some of the Academic Council will, therefore, be content with this decision, while others will be disappointed.

"What, therefore, has happened is simply that a majority of the individual members of the Academic Council, which represents all academic constituencies of the University, has, after a lengthy period of debate, expressed its view that Donald Findlay should not receive an honorary degree."

Mr Findlay has held the position of Rector at the University since 1994 and is only the third this century to remain in the post longer than the normal three year term.

The controversial QC later said he had nothing to say abut the decision: "I have no comment to make at all."