Holyrood investigation team announced

The Scottish Parliament has bowed to public calls for an investigation into the Holyrood project by appointing Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, a former Lord Advocate, to lead the inquiry.

Fraser will team up with auditor general Robert Black to examine why the project has recently soared by £37m to £375m.

A detailed remit, covering the whole of the life-span of the project, is to be agreed by the end of the month.

The formation of the investigation team follows a meeting earlier this week by the parliament's presiding officer George Reid and the project team of construction manager Bovis Lend Lease, architect EMBT/RMJM and consultants Davis Landen and Everest.

All members of the team agreed to cap fees, already totalling £56m, on any further costs.

First Minister Jack McConnell has written to Reid stating that the inquiry must be independent of both the Executive and the Parliament.

In his letter, McConnell added: "I have asked Lord Fraser to look at the decision making prior to and since responsibility for the project was handed from the Scottish Office to the Parliamentary authorities in 1999.

"The investigation should consider how resources have been used and managed and the overall conduct of procurement.

"The purpose of the investigation should be to produce a clear public record of events and a set of recommendations for future large-scale public construction projects."