Broadcaster Nicky Campbell has spoken out about the devastating impact of abuse at Edinburgh Academy, stating he mourns for the lives lost and altered by decades of mistreatment. His comments follow the release of a landmark inquiry that laid bare the extent of the abuse.
Campbell, an alumnus of the school who attended from 1966 to 1978, revealed he was himself a victim of abuse by former teachers Hamish Dawson and John Brownlee. Responding to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry's findings, he expressed sympathy for the families of the perpetrators.
"I think we have got to feel sorry for the children of these men, for their wives," Campbell stated. "It’s not their fault and it must be terrible to read about what they did to children in their care." He described the report's revelations as "totally shocking" and said he finds himself mourning "the lives that we could have had and should have had," particularly for those whose lives were irrevocably changed for the worse.
Speaking to the Mail, the 65-year-old broadcaster conveyed his deep sadness that the abuse occurred and was allowed to persist. "There is still so much pain. My heart goes out to everyone hurt by the school, at the school. We need to heal."
Campbell has previously disclosed experiencing "a couple of breakdowns" due to the abuse he suffered and witnessed. He described teacher Iain Wares, who faces numerous historic abuse charges related to victims as young as nine, as an "evil" figure and a "sad, dark manifestation of the human condition."
Campbell witnessed Wares' abuse at Edinburgh Academy and characterized him as a "slow-acting poison that is still in the veins."
Another former pupil, Neil Douglas, who attended the academy between 1967 and 1979, commented that the inquiry's findings perfectly captured the school's priority of protecting its reputation over the well-being of its pupils.
Legal representatives for survivors indicated that further prosecutions are anticipated against alleged abusers from Edinburgh Academy. Kim Leslie, head of personal injury at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, representing several survivors, urged victims to come forward, stating, "It is never too late to come forward."
Laura Connor, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors, also representing numerous survivors, noted that the inquiry report clearly depicts a school environment where physical and sexual abuse, alongside bullying, racism, and homophobia, were commonplace. She described it as a "completely dysfunctional institution where cruelty and sadism were tolerated and excused." Connor commended the "brave individuals" who testified and condemned the "appalling" conduct of the school's administration. She added that her firm awaits the prosecution of remaining alleged perpetrators.