The driver of a bin lorry that crashed killing six people has been suspended by Glasgow City Council as it emerged he could still face prosecution.

Harry Clarke, 58, who was at the wheel of a council truck when he lost consciousness and it veered onto the pavement in George Square in December last year, had returned to work at a waste depot, but did not resume driving duties.

The local authority said Mr Clarke has now been suspended "on a precautionary basis" ahead of a full investigation into his conduct.

The Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths has heard how he failed to disclose his medical history when completing a health questionnaire when he applied to work for the council, at first driving buses.

In an unconnected move, the sheriff in charge of the hearing suggested Mr Clarke could face possible charges for 'common law fraud.'

Evidence has been heard that Mr Clarke had not told the DVLA  about a previous blackout.

On Tuesday, Mr Clarke had been given his licence back by the government agency in April this year after he again failed to disclose a previous fainting episode in 2010.

It was only when lawyers for the DVLA received his full medical history in relation to the hearing that his licence was revoked in June.

His car licence has been revoked for a year and his HGV licence for ten years.

Towards the close of today's FAI session Sheriff John Beckett questioned Solicitor General Lesley Thomson about the suitability of Mr Clarke taking the stand.

He put it to her that "in the course of this inquiry evidence has emerged that might give the suggestion of criminality" and said there may be an issue of "common law fraud after failing to declare to the DVLA".

Ms Thomson responded: "I will make sure the Crown's position is clear and detailed."

In an earlier development, the council said in a statement: "The council can confirm that it has suspended Mr Harry Clarke on a precautionary basis pending a full disciplinary investigation.

"A number of allegations have been made during the enquiry in regard to Mr Clarke's conduct before and at the point where he commenced employment with the Council. These allegations have yet to be put to Mr Clarke and he has not yet had the opportunity of responding to them. The internal investigation will therefore take place at the conclusion of the FAI."

The inquiry, which is being held at Glasgow Sheriff Court, has heard that the driver has a history of health issues including fainting, dizziness and stress dating back to the 1970s.

A joint minute lodged said Mr Clarke has had no other "episodes" since the bin lorry crash and is generally in good health, although a letter from his consultant said: "He is finding it difficult psychologically.

The bin lorry driver involved in the George Square crash passed out during a subsequent hospital test designed to diagnose episodes of fainting, a fatal accident inquiry has been told.

The Herald:

Harry Clarke, who was driving the truck which crashed fatally injuring six people in the centre of Glasgow on December 22 last year, was put on a tilt-table at the Western Infirmary for the test on December 29.

The check involves a patient being strapped to a table which is tilted up suddenly to simulate their getting up from lying down. Mr Clarke, 58, had earlier undergone a number of procedures including scans and tests, but no relevant abnormalities were discovered, the inquiry heard.

A minute detailing the results presented to the hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court stated: "Mr Clarke fainted at 27 minutes into the test. He lost consciousness, had an unrecordable blood pressure and his heart slowed to 50 bpm." (beats per minute).

It added that the Glasgow City Council employee immediately regained consciousness after the table was put back flat. His blood pressure also returned to normal.

The test was recorded as positive by doctors who diagnosed him with neurocardiogenic syncope — a fainting condition.

Toxicology analysis of Mr Clarke's blood for alcohol, drugs and so-called legal highs was returned negative on January 14.

Details of the test emerged after the inquiry heard Mr Clarke had been "on his last legs" at previous employers First Bus. A GP who declared him fit to drive defended suggestions he should have reported him to the DVLA over his health.

Mr Clarke was on his final warning due to repeated sick leave when he passed out at the wheel of his bus in April 2010.

The driver worked for First Bus until 2010 when he left to join the council as a school bus driver.

Following the fainting episode, Mr Clarke was examined by paramedics but refused to accompany them to hospital and instead returning to the depot where he told his managers.

At Baillieston Health Centre in Glasgow, Mr Clarke first told GP Dr Gerard McKaig, that he had fainted while queuing in a hot canteen for lunch with no warning signs.

On a second visit to the health centre, the bus driver told a second GP, Dr John Langan, that he had fainted in the canteen but had felt light-headed beforehand.

The driver was then signed off as fit to work by a third GP, Dr Christine Walker.

Dr Langan was yesterday called to give evidence in front of Sheriff John Beckett QC.

Dorothy Bain QC, representing the family of Jacqueline Morton, 51, who was killed in the crash on December 22, asked Dr Langan why he had deemed Mr Clarke fit to work.

A letter from First Bus medical officer Dr Kenneth Lyons stated the fainting incident happened on a "a stationary bus" and that Mr Clarke "had no particular warning of the event although he was aware of feeling warm".

Guidance for doctors from the DVLA state people who have suffered a blackout with no obvious cause - provocation - or not warning signs - prodromal - and were sitting or lying at the time - posture - should fall into "box three" of the guidelines, which means they must be referred for further tests before driving.

Dr Langan had placed Mr Clarke in "box one" as his explanation of events meant he had provocation as he was too hot at the time; he had prodromal in that he felt faint before passing out; and his posture was that he was standing.

Ms Bain said: "Dr Lyons had material in order to determine that Mr Clarke fell into box three."

Dr Langan replied: "Yes." but later insisted that had he been informed of the real reasons Mr Clarke had fainted, he would have contacted the DVLA for further advice.

The Herald:

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, Stephenie Tait, 29, Jacqueline Morton, 51, Gillian Ewing, 52, died in the accident.

The inquiry before Sheriff John Beckett QC continues.