ONE OF Scotland's most senior police officers, who has been on £100,000-a-year "gardening leave" for three years, is to return to work.

The former Central Scotland Police force's Assistant Chief Constable John Mauger was placed on gardening leave in June 2010 following allegations of misconduct and insubordination.

He will work with Police Scotland's Support Division at its Tulliallan headquarters in Kincardine, Fife. It is understood he will retain his previous rank and salary.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "ACC Mauger will return to work in early August. He will be working on a number of change projects."

Inquiries into the case are estimated to have cost £1m.

Labour's Scottish Justice spokesman Graeme Pearson, said: "Someone has to account for how this process ended up costing the public purse so much money."