McConnell: Angry at delay?

A report into the delays and cost-overruns in the £430 million Holyrood building project has itself been delayed.

Senior sources had wanted Lord Fraser's report into the Scottish parliament fiasco published before its official opening by the Queen in October.

But following a delay, the report, which is expected to criticise a series of individuals, may now be published within days of the "celebration" of the new building.

Scotland's first minister, Jack McConnell, and the parliament's presiding officer, George Reid, had both wanted the report published well ahead of the official opening.

The apparent delay, however, means that scathing criticism of the project's management could overshadow the Queen's visit to the parliament.

Lord Fraser, whose inquiry costs were capped at £150,000, is still said to be sifting through the 13,366 documents submitted in evidence.

Once the report is published MSPs are set to hold a full debate on the project. That could now come on the eve of the official opening of the new parliament.

The final bill for the project is now likely to reach 11 times the initial estimate.

The project is also three years late - with the first civil servants having only taken up residence last month.

MSPs will sit in the chamber for the first time when they return from their summer recess on September 7.