Police probe 'missing cash' mosque claim

POLICE have launched an investigation after claims that £500,000 donated by a Saudi prince to an Edinburgh mosque has disappeared.

The money was given to Edinburgh Central Mosque in Potterow when it was opened in 1998.

It is understood the money was intended to buy land at the site on the south side of the city.

But it has now emerged that a number of worshippers at the mosque, which has operated as a charity for the past ten years, have asked the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator to review the mosque's finances.

A source said: "In 1998 when the mosque was opened, 500,000 was donated by a prince in Saudi Arabia intended to buy the land next door.

"Now we are unable to get answers on where that money has disappeared to."

A solicitor for the mosque said: "The mosque has been operating as a legitimate charity for over ten years and is required to post accounts in the proper way.

"There have never been any questions raised by the police, courts, or anyone else about the handling of its financial aspects."

A Lothian and Borders police spokesman said: "An investigation is under way into allegations of financial irregularities at a place of worship in the south of Edinburgh."