Former pupils at a Scottish boarding school have told how they were touched inappropriately and received brutal beatings in scenes akin to Lord of the Flies. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard evidence that teachers at Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh, one of the country’s most expensive private schools, mistreated the children.
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”.
The head of a boys-only independent boarding school has told an inquiry that concerns of a “predatory culture” are an issue for all schools. Jonathan Anderson, headmaster at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, said it was “not fair” to single out boys-only schools over the issue. Giving evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Anderson said his school had done a “harrowing” review of files and accepted there may have been abuse between 1930, when the school moved to Colinton, and 2014.
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.
Lady Smith announces the boarding school phase of the Inquiry beginning July 2020. The Inquiry is expected to focus on Fettes College, Gordonstoun School, Keils School in Dumbarton, Loretto School, Merchiston Castle School, Morrison’s Academy during the time it was a boarding school, and the Queen Victoria School in Dunblaine.
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.
