Alex Salmond risked pre-empting the inquiries into the Brandon Muir case yesterday when he told MSPs that social workers were not to blame for the child’s death.

A PLAN to build a massive, privately-run care home for the elderly has come under fire this week. The proposal to site a 90-bed care and nursing home at Camaghael, on land to the south west of the Fort William Health Centre, has raised the hackles of two local Highland councillors who say the developers have failed to do their homework and are set to inflict an “institution” on Lochaber.

Public suspicion of the social work system must be addressed to protect children such as Brandon Muir, according to a leading expert in the field.

Three separate child protection inquiries were under way last night after a 23-year-old man was found guilty of killing toddler Brandon Muir.

DUNDEE CITY Council social work director Alan Baird says he will not resign as a result of the Brandon Muir case.

AN inspection of children’s services in Midlothian has revealed “very good progress” following a damning report two years ago.

A toddler who was killed by his mother’s heroin-addict boyfriend had been on social workers’ files for more than a year – but was not considered to be at risk.

A NEW nursing home with space for 60 residents is being planned as the latest stage of the controversial redevelopment of the Meggetland playing fields.

Ministers have asked for a report into Dundee City Council’s child protection services to be brought forward following the death of Brandon Muir.

ANGRY carers have met Aberdeen council bosses as they mounted a campaign to keep two-day centres open. Aberdeen City Council could be closing one of two sites as part of a shake up of social services.