A watchdog has cleared a top police officer of gross misconduct after allegations were made about an improper use of the force’s firing range.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) rejected the claims against assistant chief constable Bernie Higgins fourteen months after he was temporarily suspended from duty.

Callum Anderson, a partner at Levy & McRae Solicitors who is also a spokesman for Higgins, said:

"ACC Higgins has always maintained that his actions were entirely appropriate. He is pleased to have been exonerated and found to have no case to answer. He fully cooperated with the investigations and provided full accounts of his position at the earliest possible stages.

"The protracted process initiated by anonymous allegations has taken 14 months to conclude. ACC Higgins could have retired last summer, but he was determined to demonstrate that the allegations were without foundation and maintain the reputation that he has built up over 30 years of public service. He is grateful for the support he has received from his family, friends, colleagues and members of the public who contacted him during this difficult period."

Police Scotland was rocked in 2017 after serious, but separate, allegations were made against two of the most senior officers in the force.

Phil Gormley, at that point chief constable, was granted leave in order to contest allegations of bullying. He later quit.

ACC Higgins, who headed the firearms unit and responses to major incidents, was suspended in late 2017 for more than three months over claims of gross misconduct and criminal behaviour which he denied.

The suspension occurred after the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) sent reports to the SPA and the Crown Office.

A range of allegations were made against him, including claims of an illegal discharge of a firearm at the police firing range at Jackton near East Kilbride.

He was told last year that he had no case to answer on other misconduct allegations, including that he swore at work.

A criminal probe into the firearm claims was then dropped, but he still he faced a misconduct probe into the Jackton allegations.

The SPA, which is the national oversight body for the single force, recently concluded the Higgins case and cleared him of gross misconduct and misconduct.

A source close to the force said it was “appalling” it had taken so long to resolve.

Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steele, whose members were also embroiled in the firing range row, said:

“This whole sorry episode serves to reinforce our view that our members were only suspended as a consequence of the decision to suspend ACC Higgins.

“These decisions were wrong at the time and were clearly made in haste. The psychological impact on those suspended or otherwise restricted has been considerable and as a minimum those who made them should be offering their most profuse apologies.”

A Scottish Police Authority spokesperson said: “Matters have been considered and concluded in respect of this officer. We won't comment further on this case.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware that all matters against ACC Higgins have been concluded and the matter is now closed.”