A retired police officer was cleared today of racially abusing a former colleague.

Detective constable Derek Bolton, 55, was stated to have made remarks to DC Farooq Ishaque, 42, at Police Scotland offices in Glasgow's Dalmarnock between September 2017 and December 2018.

The pair were working together on the force's anti-corruption unit at the time.

Bolton was alleged to have put on an Indian accent when speaking to DC Ishaque.

DC Ishaque claimed that Bolton would say "Yes b******", "Yes please" and "bloody hell."

The officer added that Bolton would bring up the subject of race in conversations where it was not merited.

Former colleague DC Kevin Price, 46, also claimed to have heard Bolton use the phrase "Yes b******" on one occasion.

He stated that Bolton "possibly" used a mock Indian accent but it could have been a "different accent that just wasn't Derek's."

DC Price said he could not recall who was present when it was said.

Bolton denied the single charge of pursuing a racially aggravated course of conduct at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He was acquitted after Sheriff Vincent Lunny upheld Bolton's lawyer's no case to answer submission at the end of the Crown case.

The sheriff said: "I am not satisfied that there is sufficient corroboration to allow the case to proceed further.

"The evidence from DC Price is silent on whether or not DC Ishaque was present at all.

"In my view, he would have to be present for the alleged behaviour to be towards him "Accordingly, I must acquit you.

"Had the evidence been present, it may have proceeded beyond this."