Asbestos Found In First Minister's Official Residence
Asbestos has been found during renovations at First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's official residence in Edinburgh.
A small amount of the material was discovered during construction work to replace the ageing lift at Bute House.
A Scottish Government spokesman said the asbestos posed no risk and specialist consultants have been employed to remove it safely.
He said: During routine preparatory works ahead of the replacement programme, contractors discovered small amounts of asbestos within some of the cavities surrounding the lift shaft.
The material is not readily accessible and because all relevant health and safety protocols have been observed by the building contractors, it has not been disturbed.
There is no risk now and there has been no risk in the past to staff, visitors or residents in Bute House from this undisturbed asbestos.''
Bute House will be closed and the First Minister will not be in residence during the work, which is expected to take about 12 days, he added.
The cost of removing the asbestos is estimated at £50,000, bringing the total for replacing the lift to £134,000.