Damning report finally released at 5.45pm on Friday evening

How Edinburgh council released the damning report was questioned yesterday after a redacted version was circulated to staff at 5.45pm on Friday by the chief executive Andrew Kerr.

It was published on the council website as an appendix to committee papers at the same time.

The council said the inquiry report was published as soon as it was ready but admitted Kerr had an unredacted copy last week. The Scottish Conservatives questioned the timing of the release and accused the council of attempting to avoid scrutiny by releasing it so late in the day

Scottish Conservatives local government spokesman and Lothians MSP Jeremy Balfour said there were still unanswered questions. He said: “Edinburgh Council should not attempt to avoid scrutiny with such a critical report.”