POLITICIANS have united in blasting the closure – exactly a year ago – of Haddington Sheriff Court.

East Lothian had been home to a court since Medieval times but it closed, despite a campaign to save it, on January 31, 2015. All sheriff court business switched to Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Iain Gray MSP said: “One year on from the closure, it is clear the savings SNP ministers used to justify their decision have been pitiful if, indeed, there have been any.

“Worse still, not only has Haddington and the rest of the county suffered the loss of this 800-year-old facility and the reduction in access to justice and loss of economic activity that came with it, the promises made at the time of the closure about bridging the gap created by the court’s loss have also failed to materialise.

“I was told recently that while video link equipment and facilities are available in Haddington and Edinburgh, they have not been used. This equipment could be used to help witnesses, victims and other court-users to give evidence remotely, rather than having to go to Edinburgh.

“Instead, it sits unused.”

Now, the former court building is in the hands of East Lothian Council.

County MP George Kerevan (SNP) said: “The closure of Haddington court – which I continue to oppose – is a loss to East Lothian and to local justice.

“However, I put the blame squarely on the Conservative Government in London, which has slashed the Treasury grant to Scotland by £12 billion, with another £7 billion threatened in the next few years.”

Eric McQueen, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) chief executive, stressed the decision to close was “difficult” but “the status quo was not an option”.

He said savings generated from the closure programme allowed SCTS to target investment in services and technology to help deliver the justice reforms which were improving access to justice and reducing both delays and costs.

Mr McQueen added: “The move of court business from Haddington to Edinburgh last January was achieved seamlessly and successfully, with none of the suggested delays or witness problems materialising.

“For a small number of witnesses, the journey to Edinburgh is less convenient.

“However, 38 per cent of witnesses now have a shorter journey and for a further 40 per cent the additional journey is less than 10 miles, and the majority of witnesses from across East Lothian are benefiting from the high-quality rail and bus links.

“In Haddington, and across Scotland, we have installed video facilities to support the legislation that now gives vulnerable victims and witnesses a range of special measures, including the option to give their evidence to court by video link. While we have seen an increase in the number of applications to the court for special measures, these have mostly been for the use of screens in court or to be accompanied in court by a supporter.

“As yet there has been no increased demand for video links nationally and no applications to use the Haddington video link.

“This would tend to indicate that there is a preference to give evidence in court and that access to Edinburgh Sheriff Court is not a problem. However, we stand ready to support any vulnerable witnesses who wish to give their evidence from Haddington and as future legislation allows we will seek to extend the use of video links to other areas of court business.”