BBC and STV News tonight report that Sepa has said the e-coli readings on Portobello beach are ‘likely’ due to gull-fouling rather than sewage spills of the kind being repeatedly championed by local Labour MP, Chris Murray.
The Scottish Government is “missing in action” after bacteria pollution at an Edinburgh beach led to swimmers being warned to stay away from the water, an MP has claimed. Chris Murray, the new Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said urgent action is needed to deal with sewage ending up in waters around the city.
STV said that Sepa had told them that raised e-coli reading were likely to be due to gull-fouling. They did not doorstep the First Minister. That may be surprising given their previous attempts to do so, over Glasgow hospital roof pigeons.
Why it’ was always likely:
- Long-term data: SEPA’s own monitoring and microbial source tracking (DNA analysis) at Portobello consistently identifies gull, dog, and human waste as the primary sources of bacterial pollution. https://beta.sepa.scot/news/2024/update-sample-analysis-of-portobello-central-bathing-water-sample-not-definitive-for-source
- Past similar events: In 2024 (and other short-lived spikes), follow-up testing ruled out major sewage and pointed to gull/dog fouling as consistent with the results. https://beta.sepa.scot/news/2024/update-sample-analysis-of-portobello-central-bathing-water-sample-not-definitive-for-source
- Nature of the incident: The June 2026 event was a routine sample showing high bacteria that triggered a temporary advisory. These short, isolated spikes at the site have historically aligned more with wildlife/urban runoff than sustained sewage overflows.
The Scottish Government has not been asked for comment by TuS.
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Aye but they are obviously to blame for MacBraynes allowing seagulls to steal your chips in Oban, Mallaig, Ullapool and damn near anywhere else.
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O/T apologies
Currently the UK government has the majority of the powers, the control and also the money within the UK State.
I read this recent headline from The National newspaper:
“Labour pledge £10 million for new Scottish colleges but only if the SNP pay the same”.
The National states it is in relation to this:
“The UK Government has pledged to invest £10 million creating two ‘defence technical excellence colleges’ in Scotland – but the money will only be delivered if it is matched by the SNP”
However in England these types of colleges were to be fully funded by the UK Government.
(Some of these English colleges were in areas that have Metro Mayors as part of English devolution, so why did those respective English devolved areas not also be asked to contribute money towards these colleges ) ?
In June 2026 the Labour UK government released this press release:
“24 universities and colleges awarded investment to boost student places and strengthen UK defence industry”
“Boost to defence-related and technical skills will meet industry needs, bolster national security, and deliver on the Strategic Defence Review and Industrial Strategy”
“Universities across England awarded a share of £80 million to offer up to 2,500 student places, as well as help build new facilities to support increased capacity growth over the next decade”
“Institutions from Newcastle to Exeter will use the funding to expand the number of places and improve facilities for courses which are vital to national security including defence-focused engineering and computing”.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:
“We are creating more opportunities for young people across the UK to learn news skills and secure well paid jobs in defence”
Minister of Skills Jacqui Smith said:
“This is a clear example of Education and Industry working together to deliver growth , strengthen Britain’s defence capability and support the jobs for the future”.
“The investment comes as part of the government’s strategic priorities grant and boosts places for students from England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland”
“Work is ongoing with devolved governments to assess specific skills needs and funding options across the rest of the UK“.
So the UK government is fully funding ‘defence technical excellence colleges’ in English colleges but the “funding option” for the devolved government in Scotland is that they must match the amount which the UK government say they will pledge for two colleges.
If that money is not matched then Scotland gets nowt for this supposed UK government initiative that is apparently for “Britain’s defence capability and to support the jobs for the future” and also supposedly for “young people across the UK to learn news skills and secure well paid jobs in defence”. (not forgetting supposedly also for “strengthening the UK defence industry – #NotYouScotland).
The 24 institutions that were noted in this press release by the UK government for funding were all in England .
Indeed in regards to the UK’s “national security and defence” the only thing Scotland is useful for is in housing their UK weapons of mass destruction, weapons that Scotland does not even want to be housed here in Scotland.
So another UK government initiative for their Britain that comes with a different criteria and conditions for Scotland , the same Scotland that they , UK governments, pretend is an integral part of their UK. (when it suits them that is).
Liz S
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