Fraud probe delays Sick Kids appeal chief tribunal

AN employment tribunal involving the former director of the failed £15 million Sick Kids Hospital appeal has been delayed again as the police investigate claims of fraud.

Elaine McGonigle, the sacked director of the now closed New Pyjamas campaign, was supposed to have her tribunal with the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) - which was responsible for the appeal - in May.

But Lothian and Borders Police are still probing her role in the collapse of the high- profile campaign, which cost 1m and raised only 100,000 for the new hospital.

It was supposed to make the hospital "truly world class", according to NHS bosses.

Both the Perth-based Ms McGonigle and the SKFF lodged complaints about each other and were expected to clash at the tribunal.

No new date has been fixed for the hearing.

The SKFF and NHS Lothian are remaining tight-lipped on when, and if, a new appeal will be launched.

Since the collapse of New Pyjamas, the opening of the hospital has been delayed by at least two years.

It will not now be operational until the middle of 2015 at the earliest.

The delay decreased the time-pressure on fundraising, though there are still doubts as to how much damage the campaign's reputation has suffered and if the 15m figure is still realistic.