The managing director of a security firm that mistakenly released a convicted murderer from court has apologised.

Speaking on Tuesday, Tom Riall of Reliance Custodial Services said he would not "shirk responsibility" for the incident, but insisted that his staff "were still doing a first class job".

James McCormick was already sentenced to life for the murder of 17-year old Thomas Loughrey in Glasgow in July 2003, but escaped after appearing in court on an unrelated charge.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Riall confirmed his escape was possible through a case of mistaken identity.

"There was a case of collusion, resulting in a case of mistaken identity," he said.

"I fully acknowledge that this was a mistake, that it should not have happened and we deeply regret it.  I am particularly sorry for those most closely affected by this prisoner's crime.

"Establishing identity is an area which is prone to mistakes, it is something that we have got to tighten up on and we are currently reviewing our procedures and have taken a series of steps to ensure that, as far as possible, this cannot happen again.

"We have been delivering this contract in England for seven years with hardly a blemish.  We are determined to restore public confidence in what we are doing."

However, on Monday justice minister Cathy Jamieson announced that plans to roll-out the Reliance contract across Scotland have been put on hold.

Any expansion of the new transport system will be dependent upon assurances from the Scottish Prison Service that problems in the first phase have been dealt with, she added.