The circumstances surrounding the death of Brandon Muir are deeply concerning and, following my request to the City Council's Policy & Resources Committee, a detailed further discussion took place yesterday between a cross-party group of councillors including myself with Jimmy Hawthorn, who conducted the Significant Case Review, and Peter Wilson, author of the independent review of the tragic circumstances.It is absolutely vital that the recommendations arising from these reports - and the recent HMIE report on child protection in the city - are implemented with speed. The Best Value Review Group on Child Protection that the Council has established will seek to ensure this occurs, but it is really important that there is full, public and proper scrutiny of the City Council's response (and that of partner organisations) to the serious issues raised.
STV news tonight reported the dedication of a memorial bench for Brandon. The video report can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/brandonmuirmemorial. My good friend and colleague, Allan Petrie of the Real Justice 4 Brandon Campaign, deserves real credit for ensuring that there is a lasting memorial to Brandon.