Doubts over costs before Holyrood site was chosen

The inquiry into the Scottish Parliament building project has heard that there were doubts about cost, even before Holyrood was chosen.

With the inquiry now looking into the role of architects on the £375m project, Dr John Gibbons, the chief architect for the Scottish Office and now the Scottish Parliament, told the inquiry team that he was concerned that politicians seemed to look at both simple and ambitious options without fully appreciating the impact on cost.

Heading the inquiry, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie was keen to find out from Gibbons how much politicians knew about the cost of the new parliament building.

He asked: "Were the realistic costs concealed from ministers or was there concern that ministers wouldn't like it if you were to tell them it wasn't to be contained in £40m?"

Gibbons replied that no costs had been concealed, but he added that ministers were constantly being asked if they "wanted the best or the cheapest".

Lord Fraser suggested the true cost was £58m when Holyrood was chosen, which was £18m more than set out in the devolution White Paper.