Scotney wanted to 'get' Fallon

Scotney was accused of making the injudicious comments to trainer Alan Jarvis at a social function in November last year.

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The former policeman was giving evidence at the Old Bailey trial of the former champion jockey and five others, who are accused of defrauding punters in a 27-race £2.12million betting scam between December 2002 and September 2004. They all deny the charges.

Mr Christopher Sallon QC, representing Shaun Lynch, one of the defendants, invited Scotney to recall the function at which he had met Jarvis.

Mr Sallon asked: 'Did you, at a social meeting in November 2006, attended by Mr Alan Jarvis, say quite audibly that you would get Kieren Fallon if it was the last thing you do?'

Scotney replied: 'I would not have said that.'

Mr Sallon then asked: 'You possibly said that while you were drunk?' Scotney replied: 'No, I would not have been drunk.'

Scotney told the court that information passed on from betting exchange Betfair had sparked the investigation. He added that Miles Rodgers, the businessman accused of being at the centre of the conspiracy, had been brought to the attention of racing authorities in early

Earlier, the BHA security chief had been quizzed closely about his department's hiring of Mark Manning, the Detective Inspector in charge of this investigation, following his retirement from the City of London police.

The appointment has been used to question the objectivity of Manning during the inquiry.

Scotney was cross-examined by Peter Kelson QC for Rodgers. Mr Kelson asked Scotney: 'Did you suggest officer Manning for the post?'

Scotney, who was a serving police officer for 27 years in the Cambridgeshire and Metropolitan Police prior to his present appointment in 2003, said: 'Yes I did at some stage. Discussions came up that there was a vacancy.

'At some stage in that period he expressed that he would be interested. In my position, trying to protect the integrity of British racing, it is my job to get the best people. As far as I can recall it was in March this year.'

The post had become available from October 2006 but Mr Kelson pressed Mr Scotney that he had in fact offered the position to the detective as long ago as June 2006.

Scotney replied: 'It could not have predated October 2006. I would not have had reason to discuss it with him before then. I had regular contact with Mark Manning but he was not someone I have socialised with.'

Scotney was also asked about whether he knew if the Jockey Club (now the BHA) had offered the City of London police a 'carrot' of £250,000 to help with the investigation. He replied: 'I didn't discuss money with them.'

The case continues.