Pressure growing over forensic lab closure plans

call for government to scrap ‘sham consultation’ on Aberdeen facility

By Tim Pauling

Published:

The Scottish Government is under increasing pressure – even from its own back benches – to scrap the consultation on the closure of the forensic laboratory in Aberdeen.

MSPs called on First Minister Alex Salmond and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to give a commitment that the consultation will be fair.

The Scottish Parliament heard both Grampian Police and Northern Constabulary opposed transferring the forensic services to Dundee.

North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said the consultation was “flawed”, while West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Liberal Democrat Mike Rumbles said Grampian Chief Constable Colin McKerracher had told him that relocation would not help the fight against crime.

MSPs demanded a genuine consultation by the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) that did not just list reasons for closing the Aberdeen operation.

Even Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam, SNP chief whip, called on Mr Salmond to take an “active personal interest” in the consultation as it listed just 10 reasons to close the Aberdeen lab.

“I hope the first minister is aware that the current ongoing alleged consultation does not in any way satisfy the normal criteria for consultation,” he said.

Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said the consultation offered just a single option, the closure of the Aberdeen laboratory.

“Will ministers now take the opportunity to withdraw that document?” he said.

Mr Salmond said there was a pressing need to invest in modern forensic facilities, which was why the government was funding the new Gartcosh crime campus and had given the SPSA permission for a new forensic laboratory in Dundee. He added: “I cannot anticipate the results of the consultation exercise but I am certainly prepared to give an assurance that the Cabinet secretary will make sure that the consultation exercise is proper and thorough.”

Later, after first minister’s questions, Mr MacAskill came under pressure again when it was emphasised that Northern Constabulary also opposed the SPSA plans.

Mr MacAskill hit out at the suggestion that closure of the Aberdeen lab was a foregone conclusion.

He said Mr McKerracher was on the board of the SPSA and Vic Emery had just been appointed convener.

Mr MacAskill said those on the board had a duty to look after Scotland’s interests and not just their local areas.

“I have faith in these individuals but it is a matter of regret that some seek to impugn the integrity of those who sit on the board,” he said.

Afterwards, MSPs said they were worried by the government’s attitude. Mr Rumbles said: “The fact that both the first minister and justice secretary are content with the current sham consultation is deeply concerning.”

Mr Baker said: “I was disappointed that the first minister did not seem to accept the real problems with the current consultation process in that it offers only one option, which is closure.”