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Sian Souness, 34, took her own life in 2018 after battling mental health issues.

Documents obtained by her family’s lawyers show officials failed to act on measures that experts said could help prevent suicides at the monument. Her parents have accused the council of a cover-up, after it came to light the council knew of these recommendations over a year before her death.

It is revealed that a council-commissioned risk assessment carried out out by architects in 2016 recommended a number of steps to be put in place at the monument. These included increasing staff patrols, closing access to the top of the Monument, improved safety barriers and putting up signs with the Samaritans helpline. But the council did not act on them until 16 months after Sian’s death.

Sian’s mother Ann James, 63, believes her daughter might still be alive if it was not for the council’s failure to act.

Ann from Edinburgh said: “Over the last few years we’ve experienced heartache, pain, anger, sadness, frustration and more heartache.

“We hoped the council would show some compassion and help provide answers. Instead we were ignored.

“Now we know why – because the council’s own paperwork proves they could have prevented Sian’s death and maybe others too.”

Sian Souness jumped from the top of the Scott Monument in 2018

On January 5, 2018, Sian took a lunch break while volunteering at a local charity shop after taking time off from her previous job as a senior IT recruitment manager.

CCTV from Princes Street shows she entered the Scott Monument at 1.19pm. At 3.45pm, the alarm was sounded that Sian’s body was found on the ground.

After a police investigation the Crown ruled out a fatal accident investigation. The family’s lawyers Digby Brown Solicitors finally sought a court mandate where a Sheriff could force council bosses to hand over relevant files but officials backed down right before the hearing and handed over the files.

Now, the very top of the Scott Monument is sealed off, signage is in place, staff have been trained on suicide prevention and visitors are guided around the monument by two members of staff.

Ann added: “As far as we are concerned the council withheld information, lied about the information they did provide then caused unnecessary pain by forcing us to go to court for answers.

“It’s clear to us the council was intent on covering everything up.”

Simon Hammond, Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors in Edinburgh said: “This was a tragic set of circumstances and the council were clearly aware of the risk. While there is no existing case law in relation to establishing a duty of care for safeguarding buildings from suicide, the Scott Monument was clearly a known risk to the council otherwise they wouldn’t have commissioned a report.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “Whilst we express our condolences to the family, as the legal position has yet to be resolved it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Family of woman who fell to death from Scott Monument demand answers over why safety measures not adopted