PROTRACTED attempts to discipline one of Scotland�s most senior police figures will go to the Court of Session.

PROTRACTED attempts to discipline one of Scotland's most senior police figures will go to the Court of Session.

The Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) had yesterday been due to hold a disciplinary hearing into its own chief executive, David Mulhern. However, in the latest twist to the saga, that hearing has been postponed indefinitely after Mr Mulhern launched an 11th-hour appeal against the sheriff's ruling that had cleared the way for the action to take place.

The legal case arose after the board of the SPSA raised "significant issues of concern" about Mr Mulhern's conduct and performance.

The 51-year-old, who earns £106,000 a year, has courted controversy with his views about centralising and "civilianising" active police functions.

The former deputy chief constable of Central Scotland was originally due to appear in front of an SPSA disciplinary hearing in early December, but managed to stop the meeting taking place by lodging an interim interdict at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The SPSA has now also said that it believes "the best way to proceed for all parties is to settle these legal arguments in the highest appellate court in Scotland".

The body last night said both parties were seeking to persuade the Court of Session to hear the case soon and that this may happen before the end of this month.