Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been cleared of fraudulently acquiring the Ibrox club in 2011.

The 46-year-old was on trial accused of pretending to then-owner Sir David Murray that funds were "immediately available" on an "unconditional basis" to make all required payments for a controlling and majority stake in the Glasgow club.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, jurors returned their verdict following a 31-day trial in front of Lady Stacey.

Whyte was accused of acquiring Rangers by fraud in May 2011. He denied the charge and another allegation under the Companies Act.

He was found not guilty on all charges by a majority of the jury after two hours of deliberations.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC has told the court Whyte did not have authority over the funds used in the takeover but defence QC Donald Findlay described the accused as "the fall guy" in the case.

The trial was told how the businessman struck a deal with Sir David to purchase the Ibrox club for £1, subject to several conditions - including settling an £18m debt to Lloyds Bank, a £2.8m "small tax case" bill, £1.7m for stadium repairs, £5m for players and £5m in working capital. .

Jurors heard from previous Rangers directors and Murray Group associates involved in the takeover, which involved a £24m loan from Ticketus against future season ticket sales struck by Whyte.

Whyte's former lawyer Gary Withey told the trial he thought the Murray Group was "desperate" to conclude the sale, while Mike McGill, a director of Rangers at the time of the transaction, admitted the club's board did "very limited due diligence" on the deal.

Mr Findlay said his client had met the conditions of the sale by paying the debt and investing in the club. He blamed Sir David's advisers, saying they "let him down very badly" in the deal and did not ask where the takeover money was coming from.

Summing up the defence case, Mr Findlay said: "They were not interested in where the money came from and we know this absolutely categorically."