Kevin's death probe is condemned by family

Independence of the investigation is called intoquestion by sister

- MARCELLO MEGA

The family of a man who took his own life after being refused anonymity by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) have hit out over a probe into his death.

Kevin Sutherland gave evidence to the inquiry in 2022 and revealed he had suffered repeated sexual and physical abuse in care at facilities in Paisley, Edinburgh and Musselburgh, East Lothian.

He signed an anonymity waiver for the inquiry to use his real name but later regretted it when he realised his statement would be online forever.

Despite repeated pleas for it to be removed, inquiry chair Lady Smith refused.

Shortly before Christmas last year, Kevin, 34, posted on social media from the Forth Bridges area that he was about to die, blaming the inquiry.

His body has never been recovered.

Kevin's sister, Melanie Watson, said his family remain angry about his treatment and had lost faith in the independence of the review set up to probe his death.

They blame Lady Smith for refusing his plea for anonymity and believe she should have no role in the investigation into Kevin's death.