Police target One o'Clock Gun society in lottery funds probe

POLICE are investigating the group which promotes Edinburgh's One o'Clock Gun over allegations of "financial irregularities" surrounding an £8000 lottery grant.

Members of the One o'Clock Gun Association said they were advised to contact police by bank staff who were worried by the group's accounts.

The cash was presented by the Big Lottery Fund to allow the group to set up a website, which was launched at Christmas.

Derek Watters, who was treasurer when the cash was awarded and has been suspended from his position, said today a "cabal" at the association was trying to "blacken" his name.

The association, which promotes the story of the historic gun at Edinburgh Castle, formed a new committee earlier this month following a unanimous vote of no confidence in the previous team.

Association secretary George Robinson insisted no allegations had been made against any member over financial wrongdoing.

He said they had been told by staff at the TSB in Hanover Street that more than one bank account had been taken in the association's name and to call police.

He said: "We were advised by the bank to call the police because they said that there were irregularities with the number of accounts.

"The new committee was formed on a temporary basis for the purpose of carrying out this investigation."

Sergeant Jamie "The Cannon" Shannon who fires the One o'Clock Gun, said he had resigned from the association in May over a "personal matter". Both he and Mr Robinson, however, received a letter from the Big Lottery Fund asking for receipts, as they were the signatories for the award.

Mr Watters sent a letter to members protesting his suspension was "illegal" under the group's constitution.

He said: "There is a cabal of people at the association looking to take over to promote their own agenda. They are trying to blacken my name by making false allegations of fraud against me.

"As treasurer, I just made sure the bills got paid. I wasn't told until June that the lottery fund was expecting accounts, receipts and invoices. Everything was sent to them three weeks ago.

"My lawyer has asked Mr Robinson to explain what the charges are and I've received no reply."

Mr Watters said that three bank accounts were in the association's name and that he was not a signatory on them. He added that 6200 of the award was spent on the website while 1800 was unspent.

A Big Lottery Fund spokeswoman said it was also carrying out an internal inquiry into the situation.