Corruption probe after 'troubled period' at Scottish heritage body

Historic Environment Scotland manages about 300 sites, including Edinburgh Castle

Allegations of corruption are being investigated at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), its chairman has confirmed.

Scottish government officials received a whistleblowing report in June, claiming "financial/procurement improprieties" involving a director at the heritage body.

Sir Mark Jones, who was appointed last month, told Holyrood's culture committee, that a probe would go ahead after a "troubled period" at HES.

It follows an internal racism row and the suspension of the body's chief executive earlier this month after an investigation into her conduct.

Sir Mark told the committee that a series of investigations were ongoing "into grievances of various kinds" and said the "right action needs to follow".

Sir Mark Jones was appointed chairman of HES in September

HES is an arms-length body, which receives Scottish government funding, maintaining more than 300 historic sites including Edinburgh Castle.

Chief executive Katerina Brown was signed off work on health grounds in May after less than a year in the role.

She was suspended earlier this month, but Sir Mark told MSPs that she was now back at work.

Meanwhile, The National reported in September that the body's operations director, Craig Mearns had faced disciplinary measures over comments made about visitors at Edinburgh Castle. He was allowed to continue in his job.

Then the Scotland on Sunday reported that a HES senior leader had been sanctioned over claims she danced provocatively by "twerking" at a corporate event at Edinburgh Castle in 2023.

The senior manager was said to have made celebrity guests Martin Compston and Penny Lancaster "uncomfortable".

The Scotsman told on Wednesday how an independent HR consultant had been brought in to investigate the alleged behaviour.

They recommended a review of the organisation's culture after finding staff were reluctant to speak due to a "fear of retribution".

Katerina Brown was suspended after an investigation into her conduct, but is now back in her role

Sir Mark told MSPs that two allegations of racism had been made against senior staff and were being taken "very seriously".

He said that HES took a "zero-tolerance" approach and said one had been "dealt with" while in the other investigation was ongoing.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie put it to Sir Mark that a "zero-tolerance" approach would mean that anyone found to have expressed racist views would be removed from the organisation.

The HES chairman replied: "No. that's not my understanding.

"My understanding is that what it means is that wherever it's encountered it will be dealt with appropriately."

Sir Mark said it would be "entirely misleading" to suggest that the HR staff had attempted to "cover up" the recommendation of a review into working culture.

He said that concerns about the behaviour of senior managers would be investigated in a "rational order" before an overarching review was carried out.

Sir Mark told MSPs: "Even during this troubled period it should be remembered that HES has many dedicated and experienced staff who are doing a great job.

"But that is not to deny that we have problems. Clearly we do and they need to be tackled."

HES board member Andrew Davis says he was "comfortable" with the organisation's finances

Scotland's auditor general, Stephen Boyle, has confirmed he would investigate "weaknesses in governance and financial management arrangements" at the organisation and raised concerns about "wider leadership instability".

He also said the organisation had "operated without an accountable officer for an extended period" during the chief executive's absence.

Sir Mark said he welcomed a "rigorous" investigation from the auditor general.

HES board member Andrew Davis told the committee that the organisation was on track to balance its annual budget, and that he was "very comfortable" with its finances.

As first reported by The Times, former chief executive Hugh Hall, who resigned from the organisation last month, has been reported to the Ethical Standards Commissioner – Scotland's ethics watchdog.

Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner's Office – a UK data protection regulator – is investigating complaints of data leaks at HES.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson last month expressed "extreme concern" about issues relating to the senior management of Historic Environment Scotland.

However, he said he had "total confidence" in Sir Mark.