Dame Jackie Baillie, the frontage of funeral company A Milne in Dumbarton High Street and First Minister John Swinney who has been asked to meet families who claim to have been let down by the undertakers.
By Bill Heaney
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has written to First Minister John Swinney to demand the implementation of tougher regulation of the funeral sector following a meeting with dozens of people allegedly defrauded by an undertaker.
The Labour MSP met in Dumbarton last night with grieving relatives, who complained they were left fearing that the ashes of their departed loved ones had been misplaced, and other local people who claimed to have lost thousands of pounds on funeral plans.
It comes as the politician looks to set up a support group for those allegedly affected by undertaker Ashleigh Milne, who previously traded from premises on the town’s High Street.
Three people have been arrested in the wake of Police Scotland’s inquiry into the conduct of the firm, which also had a branch in Balornock Road, Glasgow.
The company has now ceased trading, leaving dozens of people who bought pre-paid funeral plans from them facing the prospect of losing thousands of pounds.
It is believed that human remains were discovered by police officers probing the company.
Some customers have also found out that they had been given the wrong ashes, believing they had the urns containing the ashes of their of loved ones.
Dumbarton MSP Baillie has written to the Scottish Government on behalf of those affected, demanding the urgent implementation of legislation, which has been on the statute books since 2016.
She has also requested that the First Minister should meet the grieving families involved in the inquiry.
Clients of the company claim to have been left out of pocket after the Financial Compensation Authority said A. Milne was never authorised to sell funeral plans.
Dame Jackie said: “I believe that there are many, many more people affected by this heart-breaking scandal.
“Some people have lost money, and many others are not sure if the ashes they were given were those of their loved ones. All of them claim to have been have been deceived at a time when they were vulnerable.
“What this comes down to is a lack of regulation of the industry in the first place, which has left people vulnerable.
“The perceived injustice experienced by my constituents and many others must be addressed and I am calling on the First Minister to accelerate the regulations and meet with the families affected.”
Liz Ruine, spokesperson for the support group, added: “Many families have been affected by this.
“Many have lost money and others are struggling to come to terms with the emotional toll of what has happened, given that they may never know whether they have their loved ones’ ashes.
“Others have been robbed of being able to deliver the last wishes of their relatives.
“The alleged actions of those running A Milne Funeral Directors are despicable.”