Senior Army officer charged after allegedly taking a decommissioned hand grenade through Edinburgh airport

A bomb squad was called to Edinburgh Airport in October and Lt Col Hugo Clark is accused of taking a deactivated explosive through security.

The item, a dummy grenade used in training according to reports, was assessed as "non-viable and posed no threat".

A senior British Army officer has been charged following the incident at Edinburgh Airport on October 16 | PA

Officers charged the 54-year-old in connection with the incident but Police Scotland have not said what the offence is.

He was released from custody at the time and will appear before a court at a later date.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 8.05am on Wednesday October 16 , police were called by security at Edinburgh Airport after a decommissioned ordnance device was found during scanning of a passenger's hand luggage.

"Explosive Ordnance Disposal attended and the item was assessed as non-viable and posed no threat.

"A 54-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date."

A spokesperson for the Army said: "A service person was involved in a security incident at Edinburgh Airport on October 16 .

"As the matter is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings we won't comment further."

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has been approached for comment.