A major investigation into claims the company responsible for repairing Scotland’s trunk roads has been fraudulently ripping off the taxpayer is complete but is being kept secret.
The Courier can also reveal that Transport Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, passed on details of the whistleblower key to instigating the probe to the company under scrutiny, BEAR Scotland.
Jonny Moran, acting national network manager for trunk road and bus operations, let slip that Dundonian Sean Toshney, who worked for BEAR for five years before winning more than £15,000 in an unfair dismissal claim, had highlighted a number of alleged failings.
Alleged practices include staff being asked to carry out repairs on roads that had no potholes, employees being asked to cut holes more than double the depth required, and workers being asked to carry out work in torrential rain so work would have to be redone.
Former traffic management coordinator Sean Reilly, from Dundee, worked for the company for 12 years and has backed Mr Toshney’s claims.
The duo said the series of practices were designed to create further work, therefore generating more money for BEAR from the public purse.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra has called for the report to be made public.
“There are some serious questions and it’s only right that taxpayers get to see the findings,” she said.
“If the Government has nothing to hide then it should have no issue in publishing the report.”
In emails seen by The Courier, Mr Toshney questioned Transport Scotland’s impartiality.
He said: “You’re apologising that you have let the very people I don’t trust and am complaining about, know I have made a complaint against them.
“Not very professional as this has now alerted the company and gives them the opportunity to get rid of evidence.”
Mr Moran replied: “I completely appreciate your position but can reassure you of my impartiality. My mistake was an oversight and I again apologise.
“The email did not refer to any staffing or personnel issues, only operational matters which are the subject of regular review by our auditors.”
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “The Performance Audit Group has recently concluded its investigation and we are considering the findings.”
A BEAR Scotland spokeswoman said: “We believe the initial investigation has been completed and we are now at the stage of reviewing the findings with Transport Scotland.”