9am Briefing: £20m legal case for Seafield Stench sufferers is dropped

A £20 million legal challenge to win compensation for those who claim they suffer from the stench from Seafield sewage works has been dropped due to disclosure laws in Scotland.

Lawyers acting on behalf of residents living around Leith Links say it is impossible to access the information needed to make a claim against Stirling Water, who run the city plant.

Legal firm Hugh James & Lawford said that unlike in England and Wales, where firms must provide information needed for a court case, laws in Scotland had made it "extremely unlikely to secure the documents required".

Airport may increase 1 drop-off charge

AIRPORT bosses say their planned 1 drop-off charge could be increased if it does not cut the number of "kiss and fly" trips.

The controversial charge is due to be introduced in October in a bid to reduce the number of cars using the drop-off zone outside the terminal by more than a third – from the current 1.6 million down to around 1 million.

Edinburgh Airport managing director Gordon Dewar said: "If it had no impact on the number of people who 'kiss and fly', you might want to review it – Scottish Government officials have suggested you may need to charge more to change behaviour."

Rise in domestic violence convictions

A SHARP rise in the number of convictions for domestic violence in Edinburgh and the Lothians has been blamed on the recession.

Last year 868 people suffered violence at the hands of partners and relatives, an increase of more than 200 since 2006-2007 and 150 up on last year.

Professor Liz Gilchrist, an expert in forensic psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University said: "Research suggests a link between economic stress and domestic violence."

Queen hosts guests for garden party

A HOST of well-known figures will be among those honoured today by the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, before she hosts a garden party.

The monarch will present the honours during an investiture ceremony and around 8,000 guests are then expected for the party, where The Queen will be joined by the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Amongst those receiving honours will be Glasgow-born composer Craig Armstrong, who gets an OBE, and Reverend Andrew Jolly, the chaplain who led the memorials in the aftermath of last year's North Sea helicopter disaster. He will receive an MBE.