Foulkes raises fresh police lab fears

LOTHIANS Labour MSP George Foulkes today voiced renewed fears about the future of Edinburgh's police forensic laboratory.

The Evening News revealed last year that staff feared the Scottish Police Services Authority planned to concentrate forensic work for Edinburgh and Glasgow at new laboratories at Gartcosh, Lanarkshire.

Now, in answer to a parliamentary question from Lord Foulkes, justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has said the provision of forensic services is an operational matter for the SPSA.

He added: "The SPSA is currently undertaking a forensic modernisation project looking at all aspects of the service provided to police forces across Scotland. This could have an impact on how current facilities are used."

Lord Foulkes said: "This prolongs the uncertainty. I am really worried there is a plan to remove police forensic services from Edinburgh."