A boys-only private school has been criticised for a culture which involved “dreadful abuse” of children almost continuously for six decades. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry report into Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh found that from the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, there was a “more or less continuous line of indecency” from two named perpetrators.
A group of survivors who gave evidence on the abuse they suffered at private schools have called on the first minister to dismiss the judge leading the inquiry. Lady Smith, who is chairing the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), has been accused of “thinly veiled favouritism” towards independent schools. The letter, from 28 former pupils, urges John Swinney to remove her from her role.
A senior judge was acting beyond her powers to prevent the BBC from fully reporting a £2.6m legal claim against Scotland’s child abuse inquiry, an appeal court has ruled. Lady Smith, chairwoman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), passed orders stopping detail of an employment tribunal claim being reported. A judicial review of the orders brought by the BBC backed Lady Smith’s move. But the appeal court has now ruled she “had no power” to make the orders.
A senior judge was right to prevent the BBC from fully reporting a £2.6m legal claim against Scotland’s child abuse inquiry, a court has ruled… Lord Boyd has now ruled that the order covered material that was sensitive and required “to be protected”, and that in those circumstances Lady Smith was able and “bound to make the order”.
For Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, lawyer, Paul Reid said that, with hindsight, it was clear that warning signs had been missed and “it was clear with at least one former member of staff the dots were never to be joined.” Mr Reid offered the school’s “unreserved apology. The school profoundly regrets and sincerely apologises for the fact that such experiences were endured by some pupils,” he said.
A senior judge was right to limit the reporting of a £2.6m legal claim against Scotland’s child abuse inquiry, a court has been told. The BBC is challenging a decision by Lady Smith, chairwoman of the inquiry, to stop details of an employment tribunal against her being aired.
A senior judge prevented the BBC from properly reporting a £2.6m legal claim against Scotland’s child abuse inquiry, a court has been told. The Court of Session heard how Lady Smith, chairwoman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), faced an employment tribunal claim in 2019. Lady Smith passed orders which stopped detail of the action being reported.
Hearings in 2020 will focus on seven schools including Fettes College, Gordonstoun, Loretto School and Merchiston Castle School. Lady Smith, who leads the inquiry, has urged people affected by abuse in these establishments to contribute evidence. It will come after the current phase on care experiences involving male religious orders.
Two men have been charged in connection with allegations of historical abuse at one of Scotland’s top independent schools. Police Scotland confirmed they have been carrying out inquiries into the claims at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. The allegations at the all-boys school date back to the 1960s.
