procurator fiscal

He previously worked as a prosecutor in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, where he was one of the prosecutors during the Lockerbie bombing trial which led to Abdelbaset al-Megrahi being convicted in 2001.

In these negotiations, a procurator fiscal can accept some not guilty pleas if the accused admits other charges.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service says plea deals avoid the need for a trial and the stress of witnesses having to give evidence.

A force spokesperson said: "A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course."

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for the Crown Office, said he hoped the inquiry would give the families "the answers they sought" after "overwhelming loss".