Mortonhall parents step up their call for public inquiry

FRESH calls have been made for a public inquiry into the Mortonhall Crematorium ashes scandal after campaigners met with Public Health Minister Michael Matheson.

Dorothy Maitland, operations manager at Sands Lothian, the charity which discovered babies’ ashes were routinely kept from parents left unaware they were instead being buried by staff, is among more than 150 parents demanding answers.

Speaking before the meeting yesterday, Ms Maitland said she wanted an inquiry led by the Scottish Parliament.

Independent auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers is examining the crematorium’s records dating to 1967, while a legal expert is to be appointed to head a city council investigation.

Ms Maitland said: “I hope this will bring us closer to getting the truth for bereaved families. If the only way to do that is a public inquiry, then hopefully the Minister of Public Health will agree to one.”