Bones find officer cleared

The couple said the decision was disappointing

Parents who found bones of their son in the ruin of their burnt out home weeks after he died are reported to be "extremely disappointed" at a decision not to discipline a senior police officer involved in the case

Five-year-old Jack Dugan and his brother Toby, three, died when fire swept through their home in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, in January.

The boys' parents, Grampian Police constable Alan Dugan, and his partner Julie Tanner, discovered part of Jack's skull and other bones when they went to the burnt-out cottage to lay a wreath a month after the fire.

Jack and Toby perished in the fire

Grampian Police's joint board met on Monday to decide if there were grounds for a misconduct inquiry into Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Ward.

They emerged after several hours to announce that action would not be taken.

Councillor Marianne Stewart, the board convener, said: "The board wish to emphasise that, contrary to rumour and speculation, the matter under consideration related to the handling of a meeting between Mr Ward and the parents.

"They felt that Mr Ward had not been adequately able to answer certain questions.

"The board deeply regret the distress caused to the family following the discovery of the remains of one of the children by the parents.

"However, there is no justification for any disciplinary proceedings against Mr Ward."

Confidential report

The boys' parents are now understood to be considering court action for compensation against Grampian Police, who have already apologised for their failures.

The board meeting was called after members were given details last month on a confidential report into the fire investigation prepared by a divisional commander with Tayside Police.

The investigation, by Chief Superintendent Clive Murray, found a series of procedural flaws in the police investigation into the fire.