Cost of trams inquiry hits £3.7m
Abuse survivors accuse ministers of double standards over spending
THE inquiry into the Edinburgh tram fiasco has so far cost £3.7 million, even before oral hearings have begun.
The revelation from Transport Scotland in response to a freedom-of-information request has led to an angry response from child abuse survivors who contrasted the concerns over the cost of the Scot- tish Child Abuse Inquiry with the sums racked up by Lord Hardie’s trams inquest in the two years since its launch.
When Susan O’Brien QC quit as chairwoman of the abuse inquiry earlier this month, she claimed it was due to interference from the Scottish Government and pressure on her panel over costs.
These claims were corroborated by Professor Michael Lamb who had resigned a week earlier.
Members of In Care Abuse Survivors Scotland (Incas) said it was a double standard and accused Deputy First Minister John Swinney of penny-pinching over the abuse inquiry, and treating trams as more important than people.
Alan Draper, Incas parliamentary liaison officer, said: “The action of John Swinney can only be described as negligent and he should offer his resignation. This will tell survivors that people are more important than trams.
“Lord Hardie has been allowed to proceed without interference, whilst the Government have grossly interfered with the Child Abuse Inquiry resulting in the resignation of two panel members.”
While calls for a judge to lead the child abuse inquiry were ignored by the Scottish Government, Lord Hardie was put in charge of the inquiry into the Edinburgh trams project, which cost £776m and was completed five years’ late.
Mr Draper said there was a lack of scrutiny of the £3.7m spent by Lord Hardie’s team, while senior figures in the Child Abuse Inquiry, which has so far cost £1.8m, claim their independence has been routinely compromised.
He added: “Susan O’Brien was effectively dismissed by John Swinney, who did not bother to consult survivors, or consider the impact that this would have on survivors. It would appear trams are more important than human beings who suffered years of abuse.”
He said the Government needed to understand many of those who suffered abuse as children in residential homes needed recognition of their suffering and suitable redress for the physical and emotional scars incurred.
“The time has come for the Government to get its priorities right,” he said. The trams inquiry was set up in 2014.
It is not known when Lord Hardie will report his findings. The Scottish Government has agreed to continue to fund the costs of the inquiry until its completion.
A spokesman said: “We have been clear from the outset that the inquiry should be efficient and cost-effective. However we know that major infrastructure projects do generate large quantities of documentation and we understand the inquiry team has already gathered over six million documents.”
A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry said: “Scottish ministers have been clear from the start that the inquiry should be timely and cost effective.”