It has taken nearly 18 months for the investigation of the woman at the centre of the high profile Martin Compston twerking incident to conclude
A senior Historic Environment Scotland (HES) manager who twerked in front of Martin Compston is no longer employed by the quango.
The Scotsman revealed last year how the woman had made the actor “uncomfortable” with her behaviour at a Rod Stewart concert at Edinburgh Castle.
She was later accused of sexual harassment by a younger male staff member.
Following a months’ long investigation into her conduct, it is understood the manager left the organisation in June.
A HES insider said: “This is of no comfort to the brave staff members who raised concerns and formal complaints about her conduct and inappropriate behaviours.
“Let’s be clear here, some of these complaints were raised more than 18 months ago and indeed upheld just a few months yet later.
“Yet this individual was allowed to continue to work and indeed return to work after a suspension before being shown the door.”
The end of her employment at the crisis-hit quango is believed to be part of wide-ranging organisational change following more than a year of high-profile turmoil.
New chief executive Katerina Brown was suspended from her post just months into the role after a joint complaint raised by multiple directors.
Meanwhile, HES chair Hugh Hall stepped down from his position after the Scottish government announced a probe into his conduct.
The Scotsman revealed a slew of allegations against Dr Hall, including that he used HES resources to print off thousands of pages of documents for work elsewhere and claimed mileage to the office to do so.
It was also revealed that Craig Mearns, director of operations, had made racist comments about visitors to Edinburgh Castle; Stephen Duncan, the marketing and engagement director, took staff out for a boozy brunch but didn’t pay; and complaints had been made about a “culture of fear” in the organisation.
Scotland’s Auditor General also found a raft of concerns about the organisation from procurement issues to data breaches and “unacceptable governance”.
An internal culture review also highlighted serious concerns from staff members who said they felt unsupported by the quango and its HR procedures.
The insider added: “We feel as though our HR department is dysfunctional and serves only to protect those in the wrong.
“It does nothing to protect those who raised serious issues. It’s time for a clear out.
“Thankfully that is what is recommended in the culture review.”
Witnesses had reported the HES manager became drunk and sat on a guest’s knee at a corporate event before standing up and twerking in front of the guest and Mr Compston.
She is then claimed to have posed for a photograph with Rod Stewart’s wife, Penny Lancaster, and referred to them both as “two dumb blondes together”.
HES brought in an external expert to carry out a HR investigation into the incident.
It later emerged she had also been reported for sexual harassment by a junior male colleague.
HES is given £74million a year by the Scottish Government to look after more than 300 historic buildings and sites including Edinburgh Castle and Linlithgow Palace.
Following the sudden departure of Hugh Hall, Sir Mark Jones was brought in to take over as HES chair but signalled his intention to leave just months into the role.
He has this week been replaced by an interim chair, Ronnie Hinds, while a procurement process for a permanent chair is underway.
HES has said it does not comment on individual personnel matters.
