Body discovered on roof of Edinburgh council HQ

By SHÂN ROSS and FRASER WRIGHT
Published on 06/11/2012 22:09

POLICE have launched an investigation after the body of a man was discovered on the roof garden at the city centre headquarters of Edinburgh City Council yesterday.

The body was found at around 8am in the garden area at the rear of Waverley Court in East Market Street.

A number of employees reporting for work noticed the body from their office window and called the police.

Police officers cordoned off part of the building, which is built in stepped tiers with grassed roof areas, overlooking Waverley Station.

A forensic team was present to examine the scene for clues as to what might have occurred.

A white tent was put over the body while officers examined the immediate area.

Yesterday officers were working to establish the man’s identity and cause of death.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “Police were called to Waverley Court around 8am today, after the body of a man was discovered in a garden area at the rear of the building.

“Inquiries are at a very early stage, and officers are working to establish the circumstances of the man’s death.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of an incident that took place at Waverley Court this morning and will assist the police with their inquiries.”

A council worker, who did not want to be named, said staff had been told by e-mail about the incident when they arrived for work.

“We got an e-mail saying what had happened and that it was now subject to a police inquiry,” he said.

“It also said that if anyone had been affected by it they could get help from the counselling service.”

Waverley Court, which cost £80 million to build by a public-private partnership, was officially opened by the Princess Royal in April 2007.

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