EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL: FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE & RISK INVESTIGATION
Published by JAOC Investigations | 7 August 2026
Full dossier, recommendations & risk summary available to download.
What We Found :
Our investigation reveals East Lothian Council operates with severe gaps in transparency, oversight and accountability: Over £55 million of public funds placed at risk – without public consultation or independent audit
One senior councillor controls policy, evidence, procurement and revenue‑raising across parking, the 5% Visitor Levy, land sales and business loans
Consultants appointed repeatedly without open tender, then used to justify the very policies they were hired to assess
Reserves falling fast – forecast to be completely exhausted within two years
Senior pay rises of up to 41% while services are cut, taxes increased and new charges introduced
A network of hidden subsidiary companies shifting spending and decision‑making out of public view
Key Concerns
Edinburgh Innovation Hub: £10 million of council money invested – no independent audit exists
East Lothian Investments: £2 million of public money loaned to businesses – no public list of recipients or default rates
Mid‑Market Homes: £45 million of liabilities – ultimately underwritten by residents
Same pattern: Decisions made behind closed doors; costs and risks passed to local people
What We Are Calling For
Immediate freeze on all new spending, charges, loans and land sales
Full independent audit of all high‑risk projects and companies
End to one‑person control – split civic and executive roles
Full public consultation before any major financial decision
WHISTLEBLOWERS: EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL
We have already received information from 12 whistleblowers across East Lothian Council — and we know many more have concerns they are afraid to share.
If you have seen decisions that do not make sense, money spent without explanation, or rules ignored — you are not imagining it.
What we need to hear
- How decisions are made on parking, levies and charges
- Links between councillors, consultants and developers
- The truth behind project cost rises and hidden contracts
- Pressure to ignore complaints or silence concerns
- Financial risks, loans or investments not explained publicly
- Any attempt to hide or alter information
Your protection
You are fully protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998:
- You cannot be disciplined, dismissed or treated unfairly for speaking up in the public interest
- You do not need perfect evidence — just what you know or have witnessed
- We will never share your name or details without your clear permission
Contact us safely
You can reach us confidentially at: Secure Tip‑Off Submission
We verify every account we receive. We stand with you, and we will ensure the truth is heard.
Your courage is how change begins.
Statement on False Allegations
JAOC Investigations recognises that public‑interest reporting can attract criticism. However, when accusations cross into false statements presented as fact, they become defamatory. Under UK law, defamation occurs when someone publishes false information that harms the reputation of an individual or organisation.
Recently, false claims have been circulated about JAOC and its volunteers. These allegations are untrue. Because of the sensitive nature of our work, and the reliance we place on public trust, we have informed our legal representatives so that appropriate steps can be taken to protect both our team and the integrity of the JAOC brand.
Our investigations often involve serious issues including child exploitation, trafficking, corruption, whistleblowing, and safeguarding failures. We rely on members of the public, including vulnerable individuals, to come forward with information. False allegations can discourage people from seeking help or sharing evidence, and this has real‑world consequences. For that reason, JAOC operates a zero‑tolerance policy towards defamatory claims that may undermine public confidence or obstruct safeguarding efforts.
We are grateful to the residents of North Berwick who brought the source of these false claims to our attention and we know her name an position as an administrator on the Facebook group North Berwick. Community awareness and responsible self‑policing play an important role in protecting vulnerable people and ensuring that those who need support feel safe to come forward.
JAOC will continue to carry out evidence‑led, transparent investigations in the public interest, and we will always challenge misinformation that threatens that work.