The driver of the bin lorry that crashed in Glasgow killing six people “does not seek to blame others” for the tragedy, an inquiry has heard.
Harry Clarke lost consciousness at the wheel of the truck three days before Christmas last year.
His lawyer, Paul Reid QC, told a fatal accident inquiry into the crash: “Harry Clarke does not doubt for a moment the unimaginable grief, loss and sadness that the families of the victims must have suffered.”
Mr Reid then offered his condolences to the victims’ families on behalf of himself and his client.
He added: “Harry Clarke does not seek to blame others for the tragic events of that day.”
The inquiry has previously heard how Mr Clarke did not disclose his medical history, including a loss of consciousness at the wheel of a bus in 2010, when applying for a job with Glasgow City Council or in subsequent LGV licence renewals.
When he came to Glasgow Sheriff Court to give evidence to the inquiry, Mr Clarke was warned by Sheriff John Beckett he did not have to answer questions which could incriminate him as the families of some of the victims had signalled their intention to raise a private prosecution against him.
The Crown Office had already ruled out any criminal prosecutions over the deaths earlier in the year.
Mr Reid said it was his client’s intention to answer any questions put to him at the inquiry until the “theoretical” prospect of a private prosecution “became a reality”.
Mr Reid said: “He has been described as selfish and a coward. That is unfair and denigrates the privilege he was invoking.
“It is lamentable that he was attacked so readily and frequently.”
When appearing at the inquiry, Mr Clarke was told by one lawyer that the tragedy was “all your fault”.
Mr Reid said that was “unfair and unfounded”.
He said his client had never been told by any medical professional prior to December 2014 that his medical history made him unfit to drive.
Mr Reid said no advice had been given for him to inform the DVLA and that it was “reasonable” to rely on doctors.