27 complaints to police over Mortonhall ashes

POLICE have now received 27 complaints from grieving parents affected by the Mortonhall babies’ ashes scandal.

It is understood detectives have already taken statements from several parents following revelations that ashes of cremated infants had been secretly buried in an unmarked grave at Mortonhall Crematorium without parents’ permission.

Police are still scrutinising evidence as they decide whether to launch a full investigation into the affair.

Earlier this month, senior QC Dame Elish Angiolini was appointed to lead an independent inquiry into practices at Mortonhall.

Dorothy Maitland, operations manager at Sands Lothian, the bereavement charity which uncovered the scandal, said: “I’m not shocked by these figures. I think the numbers will rise 
further.”