It said three priests and one former priest, from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, had complained to the Pope's representative to Britain, nuncio Antonio Mennini, in the week before 11 February.

BBC: Cardinal Keith O'Brien 'very upset' about his resignation

The former priest and three current priests from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh complained to the Pope's representative to Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, in early February about what they alleged had been inappropriate behaviour towards them in the 1980s.

BBC: Cardinal Keith O'Brien sorry for sexual misconduct

The newspaper revealed that three priests and one former priest from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh complained to the Pope's representative to Britain, nuncio Antonio Mennini, in the week before 11 February over allegations dating back to the 1980s.

BBC: Cardinal Keith O'Brien