No prosecution in Scottish baby ashes scandal

There will be no criminal proceedings over two cases involving infant cremation at two Scottish crematoriums.

Dame Elish Angiolini was looking into practices at Kirkcaldy and Daldowie Crematoriums after they were highlighted in the National Cremation Investigation.

It was found that families were denied access to their baby’s ashes which were buried at the garden of remembrance at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh.

The practice was believed to be carried out between 1960 to 2011.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Following the publication of the report of the National Cremation Investigation, chaired by Dame Eilish Angiolini, two specific cases of infant cremation at Kirkcaldy and Daldowie Crematoriums were referred to the Procurator Fiscal for consideration as to whether there should be criminal proceedings arising from the cremations themselves, or representations in respect of them made to the National Cremation Investigation.

“Investigations were carried out in both cases. The Procurator Fiscal can take proceedings where there is credible, reliable and admissible evidence that a crime has been committed and it is assessed that it is in the public interest to do so. In both instances it has been concluded that there should be no proceedings. The families have been informed of these decisions.”