Gathering report slated for failing to quiz key figures

Concerns were raised today about why key figures at the centre of the storm over The Gathering were not questioned for a £32,000 report that has been branded a "whitewash".

Council chief executive Sue Bruce hired private consultants Deloitte to carry out the main part of the review.

The review was called after the Scottish Parliament's public audit committee judged the evidence of city leader Jenny Dawe, her deputy Steve Cardownie, former chief executive Tom Aitchison and ex-director of corporate services Jim Inch as "not credible".

The Evening News revealed last week that the report ruled there was "no evidence" to support the view that the councillors or any officers had been untruthful. But it today emerged that Deloitte officials had been unable to meet with either Mr Aitchison or Mr Inch.

Opponents today raised concerns over why they and members of the parliamentary committee were not interviewed.

Councillor Andrew Burns, leader Labour on the city council, said: "I do not know the circumstances that led to them (Mr Aitchison and Mr Inch] not being available but they were intrinsically involved in the process and it is regrettable that they were not involved (in the review] as they could have shed light on what happened."

The report was called after evidence from Cllr Dawe, Cllr Cardownie, Mr Inch and Mr Aitchison conflicted with that given by media manager Stewart Argo stating he got the required clearance for a press release that said marketing body Dema would take on debts of the firm behind the Gathering.

Tory leader Cllr Jeremy Balfour said: "I am surprised that Deloitte never spoke to anyone in the Scottish Parliament. Committee members were not asked why they thought Cllrs Dawe or Cardownie were not telling the truth."

And Peter Hunter, regional organiser of Unison, said: "Edinburgh Council has been seduced by the private sector consultants. They could have got an advocate or a QC to do that report for considerably less than 30,000."

A council spokeswoman said Mr Inch and Mr Aitchison had left the council by the time Deloitte was commissioned, and added: "Sue Bruce indicates that the findings of the review present a comprehensive and objective examination of the relevant issues from the council's perspective."

[email protected]