Exclusive:Quango director at centre of Edinburgh Castle 'bottomless brunch' resigns
Stephen Duncan has repeatedly made headlines over the past year as details of alleged incidents at Historic Environment Scotland came to light
Another director has announced their resignation as the clear out at the top of a crisis-hit quango continues.
Stephen Duncan was suspended from his role at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) nearly a year ago following procurement concerns.
Now it has emerged the marketing and engagement director is to leave the heritage body after 17 years.
READ MORE:Historic Environment Scotland CEO Katerina Brown 'to step down' from role at crisis-hit quango
HES confirmed Mr Duncan is serving his notice period until the end of the year but will not carry out the responsibilities of his publicly-funded role during that time.
The Scotsman exclusively revealed how Mr Duncan arranged for a festive work meeting for his team at Edinburgh Castle which became a “free bottomless brunch” for the team of 10, including an extended drinking session in work hours.
Questions had already been raised when it emerged Mr Duncan had allegedly paid £25 for a dinner with his wife in the Queen Anne Building during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
There were further issues raised around the awarding of contracts for hospitality services.
Mr Duncan approved payments of almost £100,000, with whistleblowers raising ethical and legal concerns.
It then later emerged HES may have ‘misled’ the public over controversies around staff hospitality.
Scottish Government officials raised concerns with lines released to journalists about Mr Duncan’s actions, calling them “potentially misleading”.
A HES insider said: “Why it has taken close to a year from when he was suspended is beyond belief.
“Hopefully this is the start of a clear out at the top.”
Mr Duncan’s departure from the troubled organisation follows that of former director of operations Craig Mearns, who was accused of racism.
A senior manager who was sanctioned for twerking in front of Martin Compston at a corporate event in Edinburgh Castle has also left.
A statement released to staff from interim CEO Stephen Uphill reads: “I wanted to let you know that, after 17 years with the organisation, having joined what was then Historic Scotland, Stephen Duncan has decided to step down from his role as Director of Marketing and Engagement to focus on managing ongoing health challenges and supporting the wellbeing of his family.
“It has been agreed that, during his notice period, Stephen will no longer carry out responsibilities relating to his role.”
A spokeswoman for HES confirmed that Mr Duncan has “decided to step down from his role as Director of Marketing and Engagement to focus on managing ongoing health challenges and supporting the wellbeing of his family”.
She added: “He will remain an employee of Historic Environment Scotland until the end of the year, although it has been agreed that he will step back from his duties during his notice period.
“We thank Stephen for his 17 years of service and wish him well for the future.”
The quango received £70 million of public money each year to manage hundreds of Scotland’s most important historic sites and artifacts.
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