Limbs in the Loch killer William Beggs has won permission to take legal action over claims prison staff opened his mail.

Beggs was given a life sentence for murdering 18-year-old Barry Wallace and disposing of his dismembered body in Loch Lomond.

The killer says HMP Edinburgh staff opened correspondence from the Health and Care Professions Council which should have remained private.

He appealed to the Court of Session, which on Thursday gave its consent to a judicial review.

Beggs has pursued a string of legal cases since he was jailed for a minimum of 20 years in 2001.

In November, he won a bid to have officials reconsider his plea to have a laptop in prison. Beggs said he needs a computer to help with his cases.