Concerns over council’s independent inquiry
Whistleblowers whose concerns about policy and practices within Edinburgh City Council were ignored for years by the administration, have raised worries about an independent inquiry now investigating their claims.
The people involved said while they have been interviewed by those leading the inquiry, written evidence they have to support their allegations has not been sought, leading to fears there could be a “whitewash”.
Council chief executive Andrew Kerr agreed to an independent inquiry into the administration’s "organisational culture” last November after concerns were raised about how whistleblowers within the authority were treated.
A concurrent inquiry is also looking at how the council handled complaints about the conduct of the late Sean Bell, a former senior manager in Communities and Families.
Mr Bell was due to stand trial for charges of historical sexual offences before he was found dead at Salisbury Crags last August. It was later revealed the council had been contacted a number of times about Mr Bell’s behaviour outwith work, while concerns were also raised internally, but nothing had been done.
Other whistleblowers who have raised concerns in the past also came forward to tell how they were unsupported, forced out of their jobs, or subject to campaigns of retribution, rather than have their worries investigated properly.
The inquiry led by Susanne Tanner QC is now supposed to determine whether the council has a “positive, open, safe and supportive” culture.