Bid to sue Duke of Buccleuch over Da Vinci art theft

Marshall Ronald has begun a bid to sue the Duke of Buccleuch for £4.25m

A man cleared of conspiracy and extortion charges over a stolen Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece has begun a bid to sue its owner, the Duke of Buccleuch, for £4.25m.

Marshall Ronald, 58, is seeking the pay-out for his role in recovering the Madonna of the Yarnwinder in 2007.

The painting was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, four years earlier.

He negotiated its return with an undercover police officer whom he thought represented the duke.

In 2010 Mr Ronald, of Upholland, Lancashire, was cleared with others of conspiring to extort money for its return following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

In the damages action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh he claims that the duke provided a letter of authority confirming that the undercover officer, known as John Craig, acted as his agent in the recovery of the painting and was authorised to conduct negotiations.

He contends that the £4.25m was the amount agreed to be paid to him for his role in securing the return of the masterpiece and that the agreement was made by Craig acting on behalf of the duke.

The Madonna of the Yarnwinder was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle in 2003

The 10th Duke of Buccleuch, who took the title after the death of his father in 2007, is contesting the claim.

The court heard evidence from retired detective inspector Gary Coupland, who became involved in the investigation in 2006.

He said the duke, who was then the Earl of Dalkeith, was asked to sign a document on headed notepaper because a man wanted "a letter of comfort" in case he was caught with the painting.

Andrew Young QC, counsel for the duke, asked the former policeman if his client had any part to play in drafting the document. He replied: "None whatsoever."

Mr Young asked the former detective if he had taken any instructions or directions from the duke or his family about how to approach negotiations with Mr Ronald or another man, Michael Brown. He said: "None whatsoever."

He was asked why the duke had been kept in the dark about efforts to recover his painting. The ex-policeman said: "Operational security. People's lives may be at risk."

The latest hearing, before judge Lord Brailsford, continues.