Top council official quits for 'personal reasons' as department centre of investigation

THE head of a council department at the centre of an independent investigation has resigned for “personal” reasons.

Alistair Gaw

Alistair Gaw, Edinburgh’s executive director of communities and families, overseeing schools, social work for children and families, sport, leisure and library services, has been at the authority for nine years.

It is understood he handed his resignation to council chief executive Andrew Kerr yesterday.

Mr Gaw’s department is currently under scrutiny over the handling of complaints against senior social work manager Sean Bell, who was found dead at Salisbury Crags in August while awaiting trial on historic sexual assault charges.

A 44-year-old woman who says she was sexually assaulted by Mr Bell claims she raised her concerns about him three times since 1998, yet "nothing was ever done". And a former colleague of Mr Bell’s claims she blew the whistle on his behaviour in 2012.

One senior official, Andy Jeffries, has been suspended on a “precautionary basis” and the council has agreed an independent chair is to be appointed to investigate both the issues around Mr Bell’s case and the wider culture of the council.

The council confirmed Mr Gaw, who has led the communities and families department since 2016, had stepped down for personal reasons.

It said he had enjoyed a long and successful career in public service, spanning over 30 years, with spells in both local and central government.

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Alistair has been a key member of the council’s leadership team for the past four years, and the council for nine years, making a huge contribution to our pledge of giving every child in Edinburgh the best start in life. I want to thank Alistair for his dedicated commitment to public service – and to young people across Scotland. I wish him our very best wishes for the future.”

Depute leader Cammy Day said: “I’ve known Alistair since he joined the council in 2011 and worked closely with him when I was acting convener for education, children and families. He’s been responsible for many improvements for our young people across the city and I wish him well for the future.”

Mr Gaw was head of children and families and criminal justice social work with Fife Council before moving to Edinburgh and had previously been depute chief inspector at the Social Work Inspection Agency.

According to a “Town Hall Rich List” published earlier this year, Mr Gaw was paid £183,175 in 2018/19, including pension contributions.

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