Minister ‘persuaded girl to send images’

A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal over a Free Church of Scotland minister concerning claims he persuaded a teenage girl to send him sexually explicit photos of herself.

Police said the report involved “alleged extortion”.

In March, it emerged that newly married Rev David Macdonald, 26, had been suspended from his post as assistant minister at Back Free Church, near Stornoway on Lewis.

A Police Scotland spokesman said yesterday: “Following complaints in relation to alleged extortion, Police Scotland can confirm that a 26-yearold man has been reported to the procurator fiscal.”

Mr Macdonald used to share a home with his father Finlay and brother Iain until his marriage in July 2016. His mother, Marie, died in 2013.

His wife is from the neighbouring Isle of Harris, where her parents John and Flora Morrison run a bed and breakfast.