Inspector Of Crematoria Appointed

A former policeman has been appointed as Scotland's first inspector of crematoria in the wake of the baby ashes scandal.

Robert Swanson will take up the post after a 41-year career which included serving in Thailand as the senior investigating officer for UK police after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

His role will include carrying out inspection visits to every crematoria in Scotland at least once a year.

Mr Swanson was appointed by the Scottish Government in the latest step towards implementing the recommendations of Lord Bonomy's Infant Cremation Commission.

The commission was established to look at infant cremation in Scotland after it emerged that Edinburgh's Mortonhall Crematorium had secretly buried the ashes of babies for decades without the knowledge of their families.

Other local authorities including Aberdeen City Council were subsequently implicated.

The Government accepted Lord Bonomy's 64 recommendations, which included establishing the post of an independent inspector.

Public health minister Maureen Watt said: “As well as providing appropriate oversight and scrutiny of practices within Scotland's crematoria, the inspector will also be a point of contact for families who have any concerns about crematoria practices, anywhere in Scotland.

"With Robert's extensive experience of investigating serious crimes, and of working with families and victims of crime, I know he will be well-placed to deal with the sensitive nature of the work of the inspector.''