This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lord Advocate visits explosion site
14/05/2004
The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, today visited
the scene of the tragic explosion at the Stockline
Plastics factory in Maryhill, Glasgow.
While there Mr Boyd expressed his sympathy for
those who have lost loved ones in the tragedy, and his
gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly at
the scene over the past few days.
Mr Boyd also took the opportunity to explain what
the role of the Procurator Fiscal would be in taking
forward the investigation into the cause of the
explosion.
The Lord Advocate said:
"I am here today to give my support and thanks to
those from the emergency services and the Procurator
Fiscal Service who have been working tirelessly over
the past few days. Their efforts and commitment have
impressed us all.
"My thoughts and sympathies remain with all those who
have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and with those who
have been injured, and their families. I know that the
Procurator Fiscal inGlasgowwill be in contact with each of the bereaved families
personally, to explain the process of investigation that
will now take place, and to offer a meeting with the Fiscal
and with staff from our Victim Information and Advice
service.
"Today I have had the opportunity to see the
scale of the disaster and to hear from the Procurator
Fiscal and the emergency services about the efforts
they have been making to begin to piece together the
facts about the cause of this tragedy. I was impressed
and moved by the unfailing dedication and commitment
shown by staff from all of the emergency and support
services, and by the support from the local
community.
"A full and thorough investigation to establish the
cause of this tragedy is now underway, directed by the
Procurator Fiscal. Together with the Area Procurator
Fiscal, Catherine Dyer, I met this morning with the Senior
Investigating Officer from Strathclyde Police, and the
Director of the Health and Safety Executive inScotland, to discuss the form the investigation will take. It
will be full and thorough. This may take some time, but it
is important that we learn any lessons we can from this
tragedy.
"As the First Minister confirmed to Parliament
yesterday, it is too early at this stage to say what
form an inquiry might take, and whether that will be a
Fatal Accident Inquiry, but I can confirm that there
will be an appropriate form of inquiry, and that it
will be public."
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is the
prosecution service inScotlandand has responsibility for the investigation of all
sudden, suspicious or unexplained deaths. The Lord Advocate
as the head of the prosecution service is responsible for
deciding whether criminal proceedings and / or a Fatal
Accident Inquiry should be held following such deaths and
he and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are
responsible for conducting such proceedings and
inquiries.