Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 10:45
MSP calls for Structure Plan 'ID fraud' probe
By Peter Swindon
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Helen Eadie
Local MSP Helen Eadie has called for a top-level investigation into the "potentially criminal matters" raised by alleged identity fraud in Lochgelly.
A Scottish Government consultation into where houses should be built in the town attracted ‘responses' from residents who, when contacted by the Times, had no knowledge of the consultation, and denied ever taking part.
Our investigation also uncovered written representations from men who had died years before the consultation began.
And several Lochgelly business owners admitted to writing their name and address on blank consultation forms which had comments added for the Scottish Government consultation.
Mrs Eadie has also invited the comments of Fife’s Chief Constable and the Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary.
She has also informed Finance Secretary John Swinney, demanding an “extremely thorough” investigation by the Scottish Government.
The Dunfermline East MSP said, “Needless to say, I am extremely concerned about the issues raised in this article, particularly with reference to the Lochgelly residents who are victims of identity fraud in this instance.
“The falsified submissions from Lochgelly residents who are now deceased is a particularly cruel aspect of the case. Even if the names were chosen at random from the phone book, the consequences for the families involved were clearly not considered.
“As the Lochgelly residents affected are members of my constituency, I hope that any investigation (by the Scottish Government) will be extremely thorough.
“I have also asked Fife’s Chief Constable, Peter Wilson, and Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, for their comments on what I hope will be a full investigation of the potentially criminal matters raised in this case.”
Fife’s Finalised Structure Plan sets out general areas and numbers for where housing will be needed in the next twenty years, and backs this up with policies that will determine how that development will be shaped.
Fife Council submitted their recommendations to Scottish Ministers on 27th December 2007. A consultation period ended on Tuesday, 11th March. A decision is expected later this year.
A Scottish Government spokesman said anyone “who has received an acknowledgement to what they believe is a fraudulent representation” should contact the Scottish Government “as soon as possible”.
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