Sturgeon 'washing hands' of threatened MS respite home

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray MSP has accused Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon of "washing her hands" of Leuchie House, the closure-threatened respite home for people with multiple sclerosis near North Berwick.

He hit out after she turned down a request for a meeting to discuss ways of averting the closure, saying it was "a matter entirely for the Multiple Sclerosis Society".

Mr Gray said: "I am very disappointed the Health Secretary is not prepared to engage with me or any of the campaigners to keep Leuchie House open.

"Nicola Sturgeon visited Leuchie House in October 2008 and saw for herself the excellent work that it does, so it is particularly disappointing that she appears to be washing her hands of it now.

"It would have been very helpful for the Health Secretary to add her weight to the campaign to keep it open. It's the only service of its type in Scotland."