Policeman remanded on Official Secrets Act charge

A POLICE officer accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act and supplying drugs appeared in court yesterday for the second time and was remanded in custody.

Derek McLeod, 41, is accused of abusing his position to pass on sensitive information between June 3 last year and May 12 this year at West Calder Police Station in West Lothian, where he was based.

The Lothian and Borders officer has also been charged with producing and supplying cannabis as well as an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

McLeod, of Breich in West Lothian, made no plea or declaration during the brief private appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He was fully committed for trial and Sheriff Isabella McColl remanded him in custody.

Last week the police officer's wife Jemima McLeod, 41, and Derek McLeod, 21, also of Breich in West Lothian, also appeared at court charged with supply and production of cannabis. They also faced a charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act. During brief separate and private appearances they both made no plea or declaration, had their case continued and were granted bail.