SCOTTISH Labour is demanding a public inquiry after revelations that a new £150 million children’s hospital in Edinburgh cannot be opened because it is unsafe.

Taxpayers are also forking out £1.4 million a month in service charges to the private consortium Integrated Health Solutions Lothian (IHSL), which built the 200-bed Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, despite it standing idle.

Labour and public service union Unison say Scotland’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman should resign over the debacle.