Bereaved relatives have called on a senior judge to explain why two top lawyers suddenly quit a vital public inquiry. Alastair Duncan KC and Victoria Arnott quit the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry last week in a move which shocked many of those participating.
Officials have remained tight-lipped about the reason for their departure and families of those who have died or became infected while at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus are now demanding an explanation.
They say failing to reveal why the lead lawyer for the inquiry and his depute quit will create doubts among the core participants at a time when they need the most reassurance.
The inquiry has been ongoing since 2020 and is looking at the £842m QEUH campus in Glasgow and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh after concerns were raised about infections from water and ventilation at the Glasgow site.
Families say they have faced misinformation from health chiefs and are demanding that Lord Brodie, who is leading the public inquiry, does not treat them in the same way. David Campbell’s son James was just four when he was diagnosed with cancer and went through treatment at the QEUH.
His dad has given evidence to the inquiry about his experience, including how his son was given secret anti-infection drugs without his knowledge.
The 45-year-old Merchant Navy chief officer said: “I held Alastair Duncan in high regard and took him for his word that he would personally leave no stone unturned to get to the truth. I believed his sincerity when he promised me he would get to the truth and he must have stood down for a very good reason, I wish him well.
“The recent Inquiry evidence from GGC managers and clinicians focused on the lack of transparency by the Health Board. It’s extremely disappointing that the Inquiry itself chooses not to be fully transparent with the patients and families about why the people championing them for answers have left so suddenly.”
Louise Slorance’s husband Andrew became infected with Aspergillus at the QEUH without her knowledge and later died while awaiting a stem cell transplant.
She said: “Two senior inquiry lawyers, including the lead counsel, standing down suddenly has come as a shock to me and I’m sure many other people who are hugely invested in this public inquiry. There’s been no explanation of what’s happened here either from the lawyers themselves, the inquiry officials or from Lord Brodie.
“The inquiry is our only route to the whole truth regarding the QUEH, as families we are reliant on it providing the answers we deserve and need, which is why the total silence on these resignations makes me uncomfortable. Without timely explanation there will be speculation, creating mistrust in the whole process.”
An inquiry spokeswoman said: “Alastair Duncan KC and Victoria Arnott have stepped down from the Inquiry’s counsel team following the completion of their work on the recent hearing on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
"Additional counsel will be appointed in due course. Any concerns received by the Inquiry would be addressed appropriately.”
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