Mundell not for inquiry into art school blaze

Glasgow: Scotland Secretary says the government stands ‘ready to help again’

Scotland Secretary David Mundell has said he does not support calls for a public inquiry into the fire that engulfed the Glasgow School of Art.

Mr Mundell expressed his “disbelief” that a blaze had broken out in the historic Mackintosh Building for the second time in four years, but it was “unhelpful” to speculate over the cause.

Answering an urgent question on the fire from Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, he said he did not support calls “at this stage” for an inquiry.

Ms Thewliss said: “Speculation at this time as to the future of the building and the cause of the fire is unhelpful and we should allow the experts within the fire and rescue service to do their own investigations to carry out the very detailed work that may take some time to reach a conclusion.

“It is very important that we get the answers to this and that we learn the lessons of this fire.”

Mr Mundell agreed, saying: “Speculation at this time is unhelpful and that’s why I don’t support calls at this stage for a public inquiry.

“I believe that the investigations which would normally follow a fire and the detailed investigations that are under way should be allowed to carry out their course, and of course some of those investigations will be into the structural nature of the building and that will determine what in many ways can happen next.”

He reiterated that the government “stand ready to help again”, after it gave £10 million to rebuild the school following the last fire.

“There was never a question about the need to rebuild and restore it when tragedy struck four years ago,” he said.

“The situation is far worse after the weekend’s fire but I hope we can start with that aim in mind.”

He said the art school “itself was a work of art”, and told MPS he would be visiting the site on Friday.

Shadow Scotland minister Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) asked: “What plans does the government have to support the safeguarding and renewal of such an iconic and important cultural asset for the world?

“What plans does the government have to support a review of the way that heritage buildings are managed and safeguarded with fire prevention policy as a priority?”

Mr Mundell said: “It is important that all levels of government, the city council, the Scottish Government, the UK Government work together and, whatever our other differences, I will commit absolutely to do that.”

Picture: PA. The fire-ravaged shell of the historic Mackintosh Building.