ScotGov to look into controversial Wick Campus

Scotland's Education Secretary has been told to look into the controversial new Wick Campus, after an MFR News investigation.

Earlier Tory MSP Edward Mountain confronted Nicola Sturgeon during First Minister's Questions (watch the video above).

He said: "Parents in Caithness are rightly very concerned to hear of supporting scaffolding being found behind a completed staircase, and hidden behind a plasterboard wall.

"Will she join me in calling for an independent inquiry into this incident?"

The FM replied: "I will ask the Education Secretary to look into it, and to answer that specific question to him in writing."

Morrison Construction claims the scaffolding in question was just abandoned and not actually supporting the new school, and Highland Council insists that there are no safety issues.

The exchange in the Scottish Parliament Chamber comes after former Wick High School Parent Council chair, Professor Iain Baikie, wrote to Nicola Sturgeon.

In a letter seen by MFR News he said: "Parents and members of the public have contacted me asking, is the school safe for their children to occupy?

"They would be greatly reassured by an independent safety assessment coupled with a third party review of the school build.

"Hidden scaffolding was revealed by MFR News reporter Bryan Rutherford.

"Highland Council official Brian Porter had previously written to the stairwell manufacturer asking for reassurance about cracking in the stairwells.

"Mr Rutherford confirmed that the council was not aware that this scaffolding remained in place behind plasterboarded walls."

The school, which has suffered severe delays, and building issues resulting in PR nightmares for project manager hub north Scotland and contractor Morrison Construction, was meant to open last October.

The £48million development is currently undergoing additional work to bring the building up to scratch for pupils to start using, but not before various issues are fixed.

• Wick Campus