A DISGRACED Greenock lawyer found guilty of overcharging his clients by more than £200k 'had not demonstrated any remorse or insight' a disciplinary tribunal has declared.

In a damning verdict, William Murnin's misconduct is described as being 'reprehensible' and 'at the top end of the spectrum'.

Murnin — described by one witness and former colleague as having 'an abrupt manner' on occasion — tried to have a hearing into his behaviour adjourned due to Covid-19 travel rules, despite it taking place by way of video conference.

The Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal decided to proceed in his absence, stating: "There was no evidence to suggest he would attend on another date or be represented in future."

A former head of financial compliance at the Law Society of Scotland, told how she had a phone conversation regarding the level of one of Murnin's instances of gross overcharging whereby 'everyone in the office stopped what they were doing and listened'.

It related to Murnin charging 75 per cent of a deceased woman's estate in executry fees.

Murnin's brother, a partner in the Glasgow office of his Murnin McCluskey law firm, told the tribunal that his sibling was 'in charge of all the files in Greenock' and 'was responsible for all feeing' and 'took all the profits'.

The company has since repaid the sums Murnin overcharged.

The firm's cashier told how she would go to the Greenock office one day each week, adding that Murnin 'could have an abrupt manner'.

As part of a criminal investigation into Murnin's fraudulent activities, the witness, in a statement given to police said: "Mr Murnin started to uplift amounts of money on a daily basis by way of a cheque.

"There was also a large increase in his credit card bill.

"As the firm were experiencing a significant lack of monies coming in to sustain the overheads, I was concerned at the amount of monies being uplifted by him."

The witness told the tribunal that fees had been taken from one client on three occasions in 2009 — twice in February and once in April — and she was 'concerned about the frequency'.

Almost £15,000 was taken in the February alone and 'she did not know whether this could be justified'.

Murnin, in written answers to the tribunal, claimed he 'had done additional work on particular files which had not been assessed'.

He added that 'no adverse inference should be drawn from re-credited fees as he was no longer a partner in the firm when this occurred'.

In its findings the tribunal said there was 'no evidence' of Murnin carrying out 'extensive and complex work' for some clients.

It said that it was 'satisfied that all overcharged fees were taken as part of a course of conduct whereby the respondent [Murnin] took clients' money without justification'.

It added: "The tribunal was satisfied that the respondent's course of dishonest conduct was a serious and reprehensible departure from the standards of competent and reputable solicitors."

Despite Murnin's levels of dishonesty — and the police investigation — he is not facing a criminal prosecution.

The Crown Office confirmed to the Telegraph last week that there are no active cases for him.

Murnin, who has been struck off for professional misconduct, overcharged clients to the tune of £217,478.

In one case he took fees of 7,000 per cent in excess of what he could have legitimately charged.

The Telegraph approached Murnin following the verdict and gave him the opportunity to respond but he has so far not made any comment.