A former constable has been left in career limbo as Scotland's police watchdog delays an appeal against his dismissal.

Furious Peter Cullen has been forced to put his life on hold while he awaits an overdue independent hearing in to his future.

The career officer has barely worked since a struggle with a prisoner in Saltcoats police station in November 2011 led to allegations of serious assault.

Mr Cullen, who served nine years in the police, was cleared of criminal allegations against him in October 2012.

The officer admitted injuring the prisoner - when he was struck by a cell door - but said he was acting in self-defence. A jury, at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, agreed.

But Mr Cullen was still dismissed from the force on the civil burden of proof - the balance of probabilities - and must now wait for the Scottish Police Authority to convene an independent tribunal to hear his appeal.

That tribunal should have been held by October 1 last year.

Seven months later, Mr Cullen is still waiting to get a date.

He said: "I feel I have been let down by the SPA, which is a shambles. I am in complete limbo and don't have any confidence in the system.

"I have suffered a great deal of anxiety waiting for this case and I am now on the verge of bankruptcy.

"I am unable to get another job with this hanging over me."

The SPA, despite being responsible for scrutinising Police Scotland and its 23,000 officers and staff, has a tiny legal department.

The Herald understands long-term sickness by one worker has contributed to the delays facing Mr Cullen.

Appeals tribunals against dismissal are very unusual. Mr Cullen has already exhausted internal appeals within Police Scotland but is entitled to an inquiry organised by SPA but carried out by independent people.

Insiders acknowledge such tribunals can take some time to arrange.

An official spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr Cullen's circumstances

She said: "Complaints and appeals are confidential and the SPA does not comment on individual cases.

"However, we are committed to ensuring all cases are considered in a timely manner.

"On occasion, due to unforeseen circumstances or due to the logistics involved in what may be a lengthy and time consuming process, we are unable to meet timelines.

"In these cases we will ensure the applicant is aware and seek to address delays as a matter of urgency."

Mr Cullen now lives in Glasgow. His local MSP, Labour's Johann Lamont, has been querying why his case is taking so long.

She said: "I am concerned that Mr Cullen has been left in this situation with no idea of when he will get access to the tribunal to which he is entitled. It's not clear why.

"If it is about resources rather than a fault with SPA systems shall raise with Justice Secretary Michael Matheson."

The Scottish Police Federation and other bodies have long complained about how long disciplinary proceedings can take against police officers.

As The Herald revealed earlier this year, the number of Scottish police officers taken off the front line while under investigation has jumped by half in a year.

A total 141 constables, sergeants and inspectors are currently on "restricted duties", two out of five of them because they are suspected of data protection offences. Another 13 officers were suspended.

Periods of suspension and restricted duty can last more than two years. Mr Cullen's disciplinary process, including the criminal investigation, has already last three and a half years. Police rules say an appeals tribunal must be heard within six months of final dismissal.