Professional misconduct ruling on Brian McConnachie KC

Criminal defence advocate Brian McConnachie KC has been found guilty of professional misconduct by a Faculty of Advocates disciplinary tribunal, STV news has reported.

It ruled that a series of WhatsApp posts by Mr McConnachie constituted a "serious and reprehensible" departure from professional standards.

One was an explicit photograph of himself, sent from the toilets at a court where he was appearing; another referred in a sexually explicit way to the chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland.

The panel said it regarded that as suggesting a willingness "to engage in something amounting to blackmail".

Further statements suggesting a client was a liar were viewed as a breach of the basic duty of confidentiality between advocate and client.

A further hearing will take place to determine the appropriate sanction.