A CALL to investigate potential ‘criminality’ in the building of four North Ayrshire schools has been made at the Scottish Parliament.

Kenny Gibson MSP tabled a motion last week, following the release of a documentary on the £380m private finance deal for four schools built over the last decade or so – St Matthews Academy, Greenwood Academy, Arran High School and Stanley Primary School.

The Only Game in Town, produced by former MSP Campbell Martin, argues that the tender process fell far short of requirements, along with claims of fraud and criticism that a police investigation was dropped before it even began in earnest.

Mr Gibson has now taken the concerns raised in the film to Holyrood.

In his motion, he asked that the Parliament ‘notes the allegations made in the MacAulay Gibson Productions film, The Only Game in Town, which relate to the North Ayrshire Schools Public Private Partnership project; is concerned that, according to the film, criminality may have gone undetected in North Ayrshire Council’s procurement process.’

He added that ‘the proper course of action would be for the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service and Police Scotland to now conduct a fresh and full investigation into the matters raised in the film.’

As we reported last month, the film provides evidence that one of the bidders for the contract had duped North Ayrshire Council using fraudulent papers.

At the time NAC stated that Comprehensive Estate Services were a subsidiary of a company in Singapore - a claim that Mr Martin says is simply untrue.

It also asserts that the documents used in the bid were merely copies downloaded from the internet.

It also goes on to outline the unwillingness of North Ayrshire Council, then Strathclyde Police and Scottish Executive to pursue the matter.

During an interview, one former senior police officer insists that the case should have been looked at seriously.

You can find the documentary at www.youtube.com/watch?v=paLSPNPfQXM.