How the city centre truck crash led to two years of agony and legal disputes

DECEMBER 22 2014: Six people are killed and many others injured when a council bin lorry careers out of control on a busy Glasgow shopping street. FEBRUARY 25 2015: The Crown Office announces no one will be prosecuted over crash and confirms a fatal accident inquiry will be held “as soon as possible”. JULY 22: FAI begins in front of Sheriff John Beckett at Glasgow Sheriff Court after a series of preliminary hearings set out the structure of the inquiry. AUGUST 9: The prospect of a private prosecution is raised by lawyers for Jacqueline Morton’s family. AUGUST 20: Mr Clarke gives evidence to the FAI but refuses to answer a number of questions about his medical history. AUGUST 28: The FAI is adjourned by Sheriff Beckett. NOVEMBER 3: Mr Clarke tells BBC documentary he “apologises unreservedly” for his role in the crash. DECEMBER 7: FAI determination says the crash might have been avoided if Mr Clarke had told the truth about his medical history. The McQuade family announce their intention to pursue a private prosecution against Mr Clarke. JANUARY 20 2016: A Bill of Criminal Letters – required for a private prosecution – is sent to the Crown Office by lawyers for the McQuade family. JANUARY 21: A second Bill of Letters is submitted by the families of students Mhairi Convy and Laura Stewart who died in similar circumstances in 2010. JANUARY 27: Papers lodged for a private prosecution in both cases after the Crown Office rejected them. MARCH 22: The first procedural hearing on the prosecution bid begins in front of three senior judges. OCTOBER 26: Judges examining the private prosecution bid retire to consider their decision. DECEMBER 9: Judges decide to reject the bid for a private prosecution in both cases.

Harry Clarke refused to answer questions about his medical history during FAI.