I FIRST met Harry in 1978, just after I started in the fiscal service, when he described me as as a "tenderfoot". I thought that insulting at the time, until I got to know him a little better. The worst-case scenario was when he, Keith Bovey and Bob Gibson were in a trial and, seriatim, they stood up and said: "No cross."What a nightmare for a young prosecutor.

When I went to the Bar, both Harry and his then partner, Simon Fraser (now sheriff), were most assiduous about my welfare. The best tale relating to Harry's fearless approach involved a drugs case in Glasgow which lasted over the festive period 1989/1990 before the late Lord Morton of Shuna. It was at the time when there was an inquiry into the issue of gay judges.

Lord Morton was not averse to asking a question or two in order to clarify points arising. Harry, qua instructing solicitor, was sitting directly underneath the bench and could contain himself no longer.

He expostulated to his counsel (Jock Thomson, now QC): "I would rather have a judge who was gay but fair!" The judge affected not to hear the outburst at the time but, at a subsequent dinner, did not demur from the proposition.

Such were Harry's heroics. He will be much missed by me and those in the profession who held him in such regard.