Scottish ballet school launches inquiry into sexual misconduct claims against senior staff member

A senior member of staff at a Scottish ballet company has quit after an investigation was launched into allegations of "inappropriate sexual behaviour" towards students.

A previous Ballet West production of Swan Lake. Picture: Bill Cooper

Ballet West, which is based in Taynuilt, near Oban, said it had instigated an “immediate” inquiry into claims which emerged on social media earlier this week.

Its board of trustees said the allegations had come as “a shock” as it was unaware of any complaints to the ballet school, the police or any other authority.

In a statement, it said the member of staff had "emphatically denied any wrongdoing," but had offered to resign so that an investigation could be carried out freely.

Ballet West’s board said it would calling in a senior legal figure unconnected with the school to carry out a “full independent inquiry.”

Police Scotland said it had been made aware of “concerns over inappropriate behaviour”, but added that no criminality had been established to date.

The ballet school, which was set up nearly 30 years ago, and runs lower school, higher education and dance teacher classes, as well classes and outreach courses throughout Argyll, as well as in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.

The statement said: “Earlier this week, the school was made aware of accusations being made against a

member of staff by former students.

"These accusations were being made on social media and to a media organisation.

“The safety and wellbeing of students is of paramount importance and these allegations came as a shock to the school.

We have no complaint from any student about such behaviour and, to our knowledge, no complaint has been made to the police or other authority.

“However, given the nature of the accusations, the board initiated an immediate internal

inquiry to establish facts.

“A senior member of staff was identified as being the focus of the accusations. He has

emphatically denied any wrongdoing and will co-operate fully with any investigation.

"In the meantime, he has offered his resignation so that an investigation can be undertaken freely, and students and their families can have confidence in the process.

"The member of staff involved has said that he will vigorously contest any allegations and his decision

to resign has been made to ensure the school is not brought into disrepute.

"The board has accepted his resignation and have informed all relevant authorities of the accusations.

“We have also started the process of undertaking a full independent inquiry which will be led a senior legal figure with no connection to the school.

“The school regards any issue involving students and staff with the utmost seriousness. We value the wellbeing of students above all else and support them.

"We have a well-established complaints policy and procedure which is provided to students. We have a resident physiotherapist and an independent counsellor who reports to the board.

"Students also have direct access to a representative to the board if they have any cause for concern. The school has been in existence for nearly 30 years and takes pride in the quality of teaching of numerous highly qualified ballet teachers.

“The board has written to all students and their families today to advise them of the situation.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that officers have been made aware of concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour.

"However, there has been no criminality established to date."