A Graham Spiers column published on heraldscotland in December made a claim about an un-named member of the six-strong board of Rangers.

This presented a legal issue which had to be addressed and which was discussed at length, by all parties involved.

The issue was whether we could defend in court a contentious statement and the advice given was that we could not. Finally, on clear legal advice, we were left with no option other than to apologise and seek to draw a line under the matter.

After the apology was published we had to abide by it and the spirit in which it was published. Unfortunately that apology was then undermined and we had to take appropriate action.

Our titles have a long history of supporting quality journalism and defending free speech and robust comment. This made all the more difficult the action we had to take.

While one of our advertisers is on the board at Rangers that was never an issue and we shall continue to report and comment on the pressing issues of the day without fear or favour.

Magnus Llewellin,

Editor-in-Chief

Herald & Times Group