An arrest warrant has been issued for a former owner of Glasgow Rangers football club after he failed to attend a court hearing.

Craig Whyte had been due to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice in London today after being ordered to pay more than £17 million to Ticketus.

The London-based ticketing firm said Whyte fraudulently or negligently made representations which induced the company to enter into agreements related to the sale or purchase of Rangers season tickets, and claimed damages.

Whyte, 43, had disputed the claim.

The Judicial Office confirmed that Mr Justice Newey had today issued an arrest warrant for Whyte.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Ticketus said: "Today's court hearing is part of Ticketus' continued activity to enforce its judgment of April 2013 for damages of £17.7 million plus interest and costs against Craig Whyte, as it looks to recover funds for its investors.

"This reflects the total amount Ticketus invested through the ticket purchase agreement it entered into with Rangers Football Club under Craig Whyte's ownership.

"Ticketus confirms that the court today issued a warrant for Craig Whyte's arrest, having previously issued a suspended committal order on September 29 returnable today after finding Craig Whyte to be guilty of contempt of court."

A separate arrest warrant was issued last week for Whyte in connection with an investigation into the sale of Rangers in 2011.

Whyte took control of Rangers in May 2011 but the club went into administration in February the following year.

Four men appeared in court on Monday charged with fraudulent activity linked to the sale of the club three years ago.

Gary Withey, 50, David Whitehouse, 49, Paul Clark, 50, and David Grier, 53, were granted bail following a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court.