Scottish parliament building takes shape - © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2003

The Fraser inquiry into the Holyrood building project has heard its final submissions with counsel for the Scottish executive insisting civil servants did not break any rules.

As Lord Fraser heard the summing up statements from all sides, Laura Dunlop QC conceded that things had gone wrong but denied that civil servants had lied to cover up the escalating costs of the building project.

"In so far as civil service witnesses are concerned, the executive wishes to make it clear that it has not seen or heard any evidence that causes it to believe that any civil servant has been guilty of impropriety or, if this is different, any deliberate deception of the people of Scotland or their political leaders," Lord Fraser heard.

"Moreover the challenges which have been overcome in the realisation of the original vision for Holyrood must surely demonstrate that, far from our being 'not up to it', there is now a concentration of expertise in pioneering construction located here in Scotland."

The appeal came after the former project manager Barbara Doig was accused of deliberately concealing the costs of the building project in order to head off a defeat when MSPs debated the plan.

Meanwhile counsel for the Scottish parliament told the inquiry that MSPs on the Scottish parliament corporate body (SPCB) were not to blame for the massive cost over-runs and delays.

"In short, politicians are elected, take office and make decisions of this kind. The SPCB was no different," said Ian Leitch.

"Expertise in any given field is not a prerequisite. The democratic mandate is the qualification.

"I invite you to make no criticism. On the contrary it is my submission that you are entitled to find and report positively on this matter and that the obligation of the SPCB to ensure effective management systems were in place was discharged."

MSPs now expect the building, which was initially estimated to cost £50 million, to reach the £450 million barrier.

Lord Fraser is expected to deliver his final verdict in mid-September.