John Finnie yesterday claimed the chief constable could end up in court unless urgent action is taken to improve police stations.
The Highlands and Islands MSP made the claim at Holyrood after a Scottish Police Federation (SPF) survey last week revealed the “disgraceful” state of some stations, including Oban.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf was challenged over the survey, which found Oban staff had covered numerous holes on damp walls with sheets of paper and that paintwork in the food preparation area was covered in mould.
Scottish Police Authority (SPA) accommodation was found to be similar to that supplied by “slum landlords”.
Mr Finnie recalled a past incident which resulted in the then Strathclyde Police constable summoned to Airdrie Sheriff Court as a result of safety concerns.
“I hope that Mr Yousaf will take the opportunity to say to the chief constable of Police Scotland and the chair of the SPA that, if we do not resolve the deficiencies in the police estate very soon, it is inevitable that someone – probably the chief constable – will end up appearing in a sheriff court,” Mr Finnie said.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and Highlands said police were putting up with “mushrooms growing in damp shower rooms, rat infestations, locked fire escapes without keys and furniture salvaged from skips”.
Mr Yousaf said chief constable Iain Livingstone had a “positive and constructive” relationship with the SPF, adding he had confidence in him and the SPA to resolve the issue.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Work was undertaken immediately to remedy a number of concerns raised by the SPA last week, as the safety and wellbeing of our staff is a priority for Police Scotland.”
