AN Edinburgh pensioner is among five people to have been charged with alleged brothel-keeping following a police investigation.

Ian Haig, 70, is facing court action after a raid on saunas that involved 150 police personnel.

In a separate development, Police Scotland has applied for the suspension of six sauna licences in the capital, including Scorpio Leisure, which is run by Haig's elder brother, Charles.

Since the 1980s, the local authority in Edinburgh has granted public entertainment licences to saunas, establishments that are allegedly used by prostitutes. Defenders of the status quo believe the approach keeps sex workers safe, while critics argue the practice legitimises violence against women.

However, on June 7, the country's new single police force raided seven saunas and 11 other addresses in the city. The Sunday Herald can reveal that seven people have been charged with 15 alleged offences as a result of Operation Windermere, led by Chief Superintendent Mark Williams.

This newspaper is aware of the identities of five of the individuals, all of whom were charged with brothel-keeping and living off immoral earnings between June 25 and July 1.

These are: Guillermo Morey, 41; Kelly Potter, 29, who applied last month for the renewal of the Paradise Sauna licence; and Jayne Donoghue, who successfully applied for the renewal of the New Gentle Touch's licence in November.

Also charged was Ivan Cameron, 69, who is the shareholder of Muirlane Ltd, which had its licence to run the New Town sauna renewed last year.

Haig, who used to be in the merchant navy, is the fifth person to be charged. He is the sole shareholder of Darrock Ltd.

The 15 alleged offences are separate from three drugs-related charges made following the raids.

Meanwhile, Police Scotland has asked the council in Edinburgh to suspend the licences of six saunas in the capital, leading to speculation that the force is determined to challenge the existing policy.

Following the raids last month, the New Town sauna had its licence suspended.

However, the suspension only lasted a matter of days after councillors rejected a bid to make the ban permanent.

One of the six saunas in the spotlight is Scorpio Leisure. Ian Haig's brother, Charles, 73, was listed as the licence-holder in November.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Seven individuals have been charged following a multi-agency operation to tackle illegal activity in Edinburgh's licensed premises. Reports will be sent to the procurator-fiscal."

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said: "Following a request from Police Scotland, the regulatory committee will consider the possible suspension of six licences on Wednesday, July 24.

"As the meeting is to likely take place in private it would not be appropriate to go into further detail."

Donoghue and Scorpio Leisure provided the Sunday Herald with a "no comment".

Potter, Morey and Cameron could not be reached.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, who has put forward legislation to criminalise the purchasing of sex, said: "These changes and an apparent change of approach should be welcomed by all who have the welfare of vulnerable women in mind.

"These 'businesses' are nothing more than an attempt to legitimise the abuse of women.

"I welcome any moves to remove these establishments from our communities and end the gradual acceptance that this behaviour is something other than what it is: simple exploitation of women."