MSPs appeal to MSS to keep Leuchie House facility open

MSPs have appealed to the Multiple Sclerosis Society to think again about plans to shut Leuchie House respite home near North Berwick.

Scottish Labour leader and East Lothian MSP Iain Gray said as well as the residential provision, he knew of 15 local families who used the Leuchie House day service.

He said: "For them, it can mean the difference between someone being able to continue to live at home or not.

"The MS Society should have been so proud of Leuchie House it could not even have considered closing it down."

Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie said if the MS Society could not be persuaded to keep the home open, some other organisation might fill the void.

He said: "The MS Society is being obstructive by placing conditions, dates and times for closure that make that process well nigh impossible."

Health minister Shona Robison said the Scottish Government could not intervene.