
A private prison in West Lothian will face a prisoner for the death of a prisoner, 12 days after he hired Covid.
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC launched the move against Sodexo Ltd and NHS Lothian for his alleged failures to adequately administer the medical attention of Calum Ingis.
The 34 years, who had asthma, was found dead in his HMP Addiewell cell on October 24, 2021.
It is the first time that a private prison is processed in Scotland.
The lawyer Aamer Anwar welcomed the decision of the tax service of the Crown Office and the Procurator (COPFS), which follows an English family campaign.
Anwar said it will also be one of the first prosecutions related to 6,000 Covid deaths reported in the crown office, including 15 deaths from prison.
Inglis, who was complying with a sentence for serious assault, contracted Covid-19 while he was a prisoner on October 12, 2021.
But on October 24 he was found dead after what Anwar said was a “slow death and agonization”
He added that English was a “very dear son and brother.”
Mr. Anwar said: “His family hopes that his love for him, the relentless campaign with which they have fought for him, will leave a lasting legacy.”
Mr. Defensor said he understood the “tragic loss” that the family felt.
She added: “I am committed to ensuring that the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Felum are thoroughly investigated by the relevant agencies, the COPF and the success in the appropriate forum.
“The family and their legal representative will continue to be updated according to their wishes.”
A HMP Addiewell spokesman said: “We understand that this is still a very difficult time for Mr. Ingis’s family and our thoughts and condolences remain with them.
“It would be inappropriate to make more comments at this stage, but I can confirm that we continue working with all the relevant authorities before any future fatal accident research.”
A spokesman for the Scottish prison service said: “Our thoughts continue with the family and loved ones of Mr. Ingis.”