Taylor thought he would throw in a bit of grovelling for good measure.

‘These officers are Detective Chief Inspector Ward and Detective Inspector Thomson of the Disciplinary Branch.’

Here we go, thought Taylor. The slap on the wrist. Better show a bit of humility and contrition.

‘Good afternoon, sirs.’

Suitably formal.

‘They have something to say to you. Before they do, as a senior officer as well as your father’s friend, I want to advise you that you are entitled to speak with the Police Federation Representative. It might be in your interests to take this advice. What these officers have to say to you is a serious matter – serious for you.’

Sadly, Taylor failed to take the hint, so generously offered. He did not even notice the hostile body language of the two strangers.

‘No, thank you, sir, I am quite happy to deal with this. I have nothing to hide.’

The Detective Inspector shook his head, in resignation. The two strangers looked more relaxed.

‘As you please. Mr Ward.’

‘Constable Taylor, I am Detective Chief Inspector Ward and this is my colleague Detective Inspector Thomson. We are officers of the Disciplinary Branch. I am about to prefer a charge against you but before I do so, I must advise you that you are not obliged to say anything but anything you do say will be noted and may be given in evidence. Do you understand the caution I have just administered?’

‘A charge! What charge? No, I don’t understand.’

‘I will put the charge to you in a moment. Do you understand the words of the caution?’

‘Yes. Yes, of course.’

‘David Taylor, the charge against you is that you did on 16th July 1997 in the High Court of Justiciary while giving evidence on oath in the case of Her Majesty’s Advocate against Charles Gallagher, falsely state that said Charles Gallagher had admitted to you that he had killed the late Kevin Boyle, the truth being, as you well know, that he made no such statement, and thus you did commit perjury. Do you understand the charge? Do you understand the charge?’

Taylor understood only too well. He could not comprehend the scale of his predicament, but he understood the nature of it.

‘Yes.’

‘Do you have anything to say in answer to the charge?’

‘I think I had better see the Federation rep and a lawyer.’

‘Anything else?’

‘No. I have nothing to say to you.’

‘Very well. Mr Taylor, you are now under arrest. You will be taken to the uniform bar where your rights will be explained to you. For the moment, I think you had better sit down.’

The short brutal procedure was at an end.