One of Scotland's highest-paid QCs is considering resigning from a top legal post after he made a joke about the late Pope John Paul II. Donald Findlay, 54, who has made a name as one of the country's leading defence counsels, will decide this week if he is to resign as chairman of the Faculty of Advocates' business wing.

One of Scotland's highest-paid QCs is considering resigning from a top legal post after he made a joke about the late Pope John Paul II. Donald Findlay, 54, who has made a name as one of the country's leading defence counsels, will decide this week if he is to resign as chairman of the Faculty of Advocates' business wing.

He faced criticism after he made the joke at a social event at Larne Rangers Social Club in Northern Ireland just over a week ago. He reportedly said: "It's very smoky in here tonight: has another fucking pope died?"

The row comes six years after the lawyer resigned as vice-chairman of Rangers after he was filmed singing sectarian songs at a club function.

A spokesman for the Faculty of Advocates confirmed yesterday that Mr Findlay was thinking about his positionafter a meeting at the weekend. The spokesman said: "He expects to make a decision this week."

The colourful lawyer defended Jodi Jones' killer Luke Mitchell in the high-profile murder trial at the start of this year.