Cop advisers get lifeline

A WATCHDOG group that monitors investigations of hate crimes and equality
issues within Lothian and Borders Police could be saved.

Edinburgh City Council’s corporate policy and strategy committee is expected to ­approve plans to continue it on a two-year basis.

The future of the group was in jeopardy, with no place for it in the restructured Scottish police force. But the council seems prepared to fund the continuation of the scheme as a nine-member group.

Lay advisers are volunteers, but are eligible to receive an honorarium of £1000 a year.

The concept came from the findings of the 1999 Stephen Lawrence inquiry into racism in the Metropolitan Police.