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Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Abusers at private school were 'protected by tradition' for 60 years, says judge
Child abusers at a prestigious Scottish boarding school were 'protected by tradition' for 60 years, an inquiry has found. Abuse became 'normalised for generations of boys' at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh as concerns over their welfare were 'ignored'. Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) chairman Lady Smith, a retired High Court judge, published her findings on the provision of residential care at the school. One of the 'prolific abusers', veteran teacher and former pupil James Rainy Brown, took his own life aged 75 in 2013 after learning of a police investigation - prompting a major policy review in 2014, the report said. Another abuser, Mervyn Preston, had taught Rainy Brown as a pupil – while a total of eight teachers were deemed to have been abusers. The school - where fees are up to £50,706 a year - yesterday issued an 'unreserved' apology and said child protection measures were now in place. The report said indecency occurred from the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century. But Lady Smith said that 'by the early 2000s, Merchiston thought itself a leader in the child protection field'. Lady Smith said 'references were badly handled and child protection concerns ignored', while voyeurism and indecent assaults were common. She added: 'Abusers, and potential abusers, were sometimes protected by tradition, long service, or governor loyalty.' The findings, part of the £95million inquiry's overall boarding schools case study, found that 'in common with Loretto School, Morrison's Academy, Gordonstoun, and Queen Victoria School, children who boarded at Merchiston were exposed to risks of suffering sexual, physical and emotional abuse'. Lady Smith concluded the two main perpetrators at Merchiston – Rainy Brown and Preston - were 'virtually untouchable'. She said: 'From the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, there was a more or less continuous line of consistent indecency perpetrated by two prolific abusers, Mervyn Preston and James Rainy Brown. 'The former taught the latter, who then returned to Merchiston as a teacher, after which they worked together. 'They engaged in abusive behaviour which became normalised for generations of boys. 'In the cases of both those men, their longstanding service and positions of power in boarding houses rendered them virtually untouchable. 'In total, eight teachers abused children sexually. 'Seven were male and one was female. 'Conduct included voyeurism, encouraging nudity, indecent exposure, indecent assaults, and in the case of the female, it included encouraging senior pupils to engage in sexual intercourse with her.' She said the school's strong culture of rugby and sport left those who did not fit in vulnerable to abuse and bullying. Lady Smith said: 'For decades, differences - particularly those that made children vulnerable - went unnoticed by the school and staff. 'The Merchiston culture, where toughness in adversity was encouraged, facilitated and exacerbated abuse.' She said that by the millennium, the school was 'content to rely on positive but, in fact, inadequate and insufficiently critical' inspections, while 'obvious abusive trends' were missed - until 2014 when an overhaul was forced due to a wider police inquiry. But Lady Smith said: 'All of that fell apart following the suicide of James Rainy Brown, after he had been told he was subject to police investigation. 'A new inspection regime from 2014, including a wider police inquiry, revealed many longstanding weaknesses in child protection and pastoral care. 'Policies and their implementation had been unsatisfactory. HR processes had been consistently poor and leadership weak although well intended. 'Concerning behaviour had been recorded, but obvious abusive trends were repeatedly missed.' After a poor inspection report in 2015, Merchiston was made subject to special measures by the Scottish Government. It was obliged to respond, and Lady Smith said it was 'well led by its board of governors' and policies 'were corrected and became meaningful'. Yesterday headmaster Jonathan Anderson and Gareth Baird, chairman of the board of governors, said: 'Today's report by Lady Smith is detailed, fair and, at times, a difficult read. 'It uncovers a history of unacceptable abuse suffered by many former pupils and highlights the enduring impact on their lives decades later. 'To all those who suffered abuse while in the care of Merchiston Castle School, we offer our most sincere and unreserved apology. 'No child should ever suffer harm, especially not in a place that exists to nurture and educate. 'Those who were abused by their teachers or their fellow pupils deserved better, and we are truly sorry that they were so badly let down.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Merchiston private school protected abusers for decades
A boys-only private school has been criticised for a culture which involved "dreadful abuse'' of children almost continuously for six decades. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry report into Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh found that from the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, there was a "more or less continuous line of indecency" from two named chairwoman Lady Smith concluded leadership of the school in this period was weak and child protection concerns were school has offered a sincere and unreserved apology to all former pupils who suffered. Lady Smith's findings on the provision of residential care at the Edinburgh boarding school revealed one of the "prolific abusers", former pupil and teacher James Rainy Brown, took his own life after learning of a police investigation into his conduct. The other, Mervyn Preston, had taught Rainy Brown as a pupil and the pair's abuse became "normalised for generations of boys", Lady Smith branded a total of eight teachers as "abusers".Lady Smith said that "by the early 2000s, Merchiston thought itself a leader in the child protection field" but in reality "references were badly handled and child protection concerns ignored", while voyeurism and indecent assaults were added: "Abusers, and potential abusers, were sometimes protected by tradition, long service, or governor loyalty."The findings, part of the inquiry's overall boarding schools case study, found that "in common with Loretto School, Morrison's Academy, Gordonstoun, and Queen Victoria School, children who boarded at Merchiston were exposed to risks of suffering sexual, physical and emotional abuse". Lady Smith concluded the two main perpetrators at Merchiston were "virtually untouchable".Lady Smith said: "From the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, there was a more or less continuous line of consistent indecency perpetrated by two prolific abusers, Mervyn Preston and James Rainy Brown."The former taught the latter, who then returned to Merchiston as a teacher, after which they worked together."They engaged in abusive behaviour which became normalised for generations of boys."In the cases of both those men, their longstanding service and positions of power in boarding houses rendered them virtually untouchable." 'Sincere and unreserved apology' Following a poor inspection report in 2015, Merchiston was made subject to special measures by the Scottish was obliged to respond, and Lady Smith said it was "well led by its board of governors" and policies "were corrected and became meaningful".Merchiston Castle School has issued an "unreserved apology".Headmaster Jonathan Anderson and Gareth Baird, chairman of the board of governors, said in a statement Lady Smith's report is "detailed, fair and, at times, a difficult read". It added: "It uncovers a history of unacceptable abuse suffered by many former pupils and highlights the enduring impact on their lives decades later."To all those who suffered abuse while in the care of Merchiston Castle School, we offer our most sincere and unreserved apology. "No child should ever suffer harm, especially not in a place that exists to nurture and educate. Those who were abused by their teachers or their fellow pupils deserved better, and we are truly sorry that they were so badly let down."The statement added the school is "wholeheartedly committed to ensuring the lessons of the past are fully learned".
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Boarding school ‘protected abusers' for six decades, inquiry concludes
A report into the exclusive Merchiston Castle School has concluded that for 60 years, 'abusers were protected by tradition'. Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith has published her findings on the provision of residential care at the Edinburgh boarding school, concluding that over almost six decades, there was a 'more or less continuous line of indecency' from two named perpetrators. One of the 'prolific abusers', former pupil James Rainy Brown, took his own life after learning of a police investigation prompting a massive policy review in 2014, the report said. The other, Mervyn Preston, had taught Rainy Brown as a pupil and the pair's abuse became 'normalised for generations of boys', Lady Smith found. She branded a total of eight teachers as 'abusers'. The report said indecency occurred from the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, however Lady Smith said that 'by the early 2000s, Merchiston thought itself a leader in the child protection field'. Lady Smith said 'references were badly handled and child protection concerns ignored', while voyeurism and indecent assaults were common. She added: 'Abusers, and potential abusers, were sometimes protected by tradition, long service, or governor loyalty.' The findings, part of the inquiry's overall boarding schools case study, found that 'in common with Loretto School, Morrison's Academy, Gordonstoun, and Queen Victoria School, children who boarded at Merchiston were exposed to risks of suffering sexual, physical and emotional abuse'. Lady Smith concluded the two main perpetrators at Merchiston were 'virtually untouchable'. Lady Smith said: 'From the 1950s to the second decade of the 21st century, there was a more or less continuous line of consistent indecency perpetrated by two prolific abusers, Mervyn Preston and James Rainy Brown. 'The former taught the latter, who then returned to Merchiston as a teacher, after which they worked together. 'They engaged in abusive behaviour which became normalised for generations of boys. 'In the cases of both those men, their longstanding service and positions of power in boarding houses rendered them virtually untouchable. 'In total, eight teachers abused children sexually. Seven were male and one was female. 'Conduct included voyeurism, encouraging nudity, indecent exposure, indecent assaults, and in the case of the female, it included encouraging senior pupils to engage in sexual intercourse with her.' She said the school's strong culture of rugby and sport left those who did not fit in vulnerable to abuse and bullying. Lady Smith said: 'For decades, differences – particularly those that made children vulnerable – went unnoticed by the school and staff. 'The Merchiston culture, where toughness in adversity was encouraged, facilitated and exacerbated abuse.' She said by the millennium, the school was 'content to rely on positive but, in fact, inadequate and insufficiently critical' inspections, while 'obvious abusive trends' were missed – until 2014 when an overhaul was forced due to a wider police inquiry. But Lady Smith said: 'All of that fell apart following the suicide of James Rainy Brown, after he had been told he was subject to police investigation. 'A new inspection regime from 2014, including a wider police inquiry, revealed many longstanding weaknesses in child protection and pastoral care. 'Policies and their implementation had been unsatisfactory. HR processes had been consistently poor and leadership weak although well intended. 'Concerning behaviour had been recorded, but obvious abusive trends were repeatedly missed.' Following a poor inspection report in 2015, Merchiston was made subject to special measures by the Scottish Government. It was obliged to respond, and Lady Smith said it was 'well led by its board of governors' and policies 'were corrected and became meaningful'. Merchiston Castle School has issued an 'unreserved apology'. Headmaster Jonathan Anderson and Gareth Baird, chairman of the board of governors, said in a statement: 'Today's report by Lady Smith is detailed, fair and, at times, a difficult read. It uncovers a history of unacceptable abuse suffered by many former pupils and highlights the enduring impact on their lives decades later. 'To all those who suffered abuse while in the care of Merchiston Castle School, we offer our most sincere and unreserved apology. No child should ever suffer harm, especially not in a place that exists to nurture and educate. Those who were abused by their teachers or their fellow pupils deserved better, and we are truly sorry that they were so badly let down. 'That sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children at our school was allowed to continue for so long is deeply upsetting and we respect and we thank our former pupils who had the courage and bravery to speak about their experiences in evidence to the inquiry. 'Their collective testimonies painted a picture of a school that fostered a culture of fear, bullying and abuse that is hard to fathom, and unrecognisable with the school that exists today. 'We fully accept these criticisms, we acknowledge these failures, and we recognise the deep and lasting harm that was caused. The school is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring the lessons of the past are fully learned. 'Safeguarding is our number one priority and the wellbeing of the young people in our care is of paramount importance to us. 'Following a negative inspection report in 2015, Merchiston was placed under special measures by the Scottish Government. This was a turning point and as Lady Smith recognises in her report, we responded promptly and decisively.'
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
French Open draw: Scotland's Jacob Fearnley lands oldest player in draw and former champion
British players discover French Open draw fate Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish tennis star Jacob Fearnley will make his French Open debut against former champion Stan Wawrinka after the draw was made on Thursday. Edinburgh-born Fearnley, who is ranked 54 in the world, is in the top half of the draw and will face the oldest man in the field in Wawrinka. The Swiss, now aged 40, won the French Open back in 2015 when he defeated Novak Djokovic and will provide a stern test to the 23-year-old former Merchiston Castle pupil. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Should Fearnley defeat Wawrinka, then he will take on either 22nd seed Ugo Humbert of France or Australian Chris O'Connell. Jacob Fearnley will take on Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the French Open. | Getty Images Elsewhere in the men's draw, British number one Jack Draper is a leading seed at a grand slam for the first time as the world number five and will face Italian Mattia Bellucci in the first round. The 23-year-old has landed on the strong side of the draw with top seed Jannik Sinner in his quarter and both Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic also in his half. Cameron Norrie was given the toughest draw of the British players against 11th seed Daniil Medvedev, while on Thursday, Dan Evans crashed out of the qualifiers after losing to home hope Clement Tabur. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sinner lands home hope Sinner, who is bidding for a third consecutive grand slam title after returning from his three-month doping ban, plays France's Arthur Rinderknech in the first round. Djokovic, who turned 38 on Thursday, opens his latest campaign for a 25th slam crown against Mackenzie McDonald while defending champion and second seed Carlos Alcaraz faces former US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori. In the women's draw, Emma Raducanu could face four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the second round at Roland Garros. Swiatek has won the title for the last three years while Raducanu, who must first get past China's Wang Xinyu, has only played the tournament once before. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Emma Raducanu could face Iga Swiatek. | Getty Images That was back in 2022, when she reached the second round, with the former US Open champion missing 2023 following operations on both wrists and one ankle and then opting not to compete in qualifying last year. She returns to Paris ranked back inside the top 50 and will hope to continue her encouraging form on the clay, which included a run to the fourth round of the Italian Open. Raducanu struggled with a recurrence of a back problem during a second-round loss to Danielle Collins at the WTA event in Strasbourg on Wednesday but it is understood there is no concern around her participation at Roland Garros, with the 22-year-old on her way to the French capital. While Swiatek, who defeated Raducanu for the loss of just one game at the Australian Open in January, would represent a formidable challenge, it has been a difficult season for the Pole. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She has not won a title since last year's French Open and has slipped to fifth in the rankings after uncharacteristic performances on her favourite surface. Swiatek: Everyone's here to win Swiatek, who faces Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova first up, joined Paris St Germain star Ousmane Dembele at the draw, and said: 'Everybody's here to win. I'm working hard to be ready and to play as good tennis as possible. 'For sure this season had more ups and downs but I know my game is there. I just have to figure out how to use it in the best possible way. Tennis is sometimes a complicated sport but we should make it easy in our heads.' Swiatek is in the top half of the draw along with Aryna Sabalenka, who faces Russian Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round, and could face a repeat of last year's final against Jasmine Paolini in the last eight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Second seed Coco Gauff is the highest-ranked player in the bottom half and will open against Australia's Olivia Gadecki. Katie Boulter is in good form on the clay. | Getty Images For the other British women, Katie Boulter will face a qualifier ahead of a potential second-round meeting with Australian Open champion Madison Keys while Sonay Kartal meets Erika Andreeva and Jodie Burrage plays Collins. Britain could yet have an eighth player in the main singles draw, with Fran Jones battling to a 2-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Japan's Mai Hontama in the second round of qualifying. She will face Ukraine's Anastasiia Sobolieva in the final round.
Edinburgh Reporter
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Jacob Fearnley into Madrid Open first round
Jacob Fearnley claimed a place in the first round proper of the Madrid 1000 tennis tournament on Tuesday with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over experienced clay court campaigner, Hugo Dellion of Bolivia. The Scot did not have it all his own way in the first set against the master of the drop shot and had to save a set point on his serve at 4-5. However, that hurdle cleared there was no looking back as the former Colinton club junior and Merchiston Castle tennis academy prodigy began to hit out and blew his top 100 opponent away. He now waits to see who he will meet in the first round proper but already Jacob is guaranteed prize money of E20,820 and 10 ranking points. With the exception of Jannik Sinner most of the world's leading men are competing in the Spanish capital with British No 1 Jack Draper seeded fifth and Scot Cameron Norrie also in the draw. Norrie faces Spanish wild card Martin Landaluce in round one. Jacob Fearnley after his straight sets victory to reach round one of the Mutua Madrid Open. A stylish volley from Jacob Fearnley in Madrid today. Eyes on the prize; Jacob Fearnley puts away a smash in Madrid today. Photographs courtesy of Alex Harkins and Gerry Reilly. Like this: Like Related
