Overview
The complainant (Mr C) alleged that, without checking its veracity, the City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) accepted, and kept on his file, information implying that he had been convicted and imprisoned for murder. He said that the Council then passed this information to a third party, which resulted in his and his partner's fertility treatment being suspended.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council passed unsubstantiated and incorrect information to a third party (not upheld);
- (b) the Council's Head of Service was allowed to remain at a Social Work Complaints Review Hearing while his appeal was decided (not upheld); and
- (c) in reporting their decision, the Council made an inappropriate reference to the Bichard Enquiry (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman has no recommendations to make.