CENTRAL Scotland Police have issued a firm denial to suggestions that they used a rent boy to entrap homosexuals in a public lavatory.
The Deputy Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police, Michael Currie, has taken the unprecedented step of writing to the London-based gay and lesbian newspaper Gay Times to defend a controversial ``sting'' operation.
Homosexuals were secretly filmed meeting in the lavatory.
Two gay men have already committed suicide after their activities were recorded by a video surveillance camera installed in the toilets in Stirling's Beechwood Park.
Workman Michael Cummings, 60, leapt to his death from the Forth Road Bridge last month after being filmed having sex with another man.
His death came after he was served with a summons to appear in court to face a charge of committing a homosexual act other than in private.
Two weeks later, on November 17, a youth and community worker with Stirling Council, Cameron Daisley, 48, was found hanged after being confronted with evidence that he had indulged in sexual actiity with a 13-year-old boy.
Six other men have already appeared in court as a result of the filming, and have been fined amounts varying from #250 to #400 after pleading guilty to committing homosexual acts, otherwise than in private.
A seventh man is to appear again next month charged with adult gay sex.
Mr Currie, who joined the force earlier this year, spoke out last night about his letter to the gay newspaper.
He said : ``We felt we had a duty both to the gay community and to the public in general to correct misinformation.
``We said to them that there was no question of having used a 13-year-old boy as bait, as had been suggested in some sections of the media.
``The equipment was not trained on any areas which was going to invade anyone's privacy - it was in a public part of the toilet.
``We said that we never allowed a 13-year-old boy to continue his activity during the operation.
``That statement to the press was entirely untrue, and there was never any question of Central Scotland Police using a child in this manner, nor was there any form of encouragement or entrapment.
``Our paramount duty was the protection of the child, and then the identification and detection of offenders who had been involved with him.
``That's why surveillance was used.''
The allegations that police had not stopped the boy allegedly prostituting himself were made earlier this month by the Scottish Gay Rights group, Outright Scotland.
Outright Scotland convener Ian Dunn said it was ``a disgrace'' that a secret camera had been put in a public toilet without prominent notices stating that men using it were being filmed.
The group called for the Crown Office to hold an investigation of the police methods.
Mr Currie said: ``If the Crown Office decide there is to be an investigation we'll co-operate fully.''
Deputy editor of Gay Times, Colin Richardson, said last night that the deputy chief constable's letter came in response to a series of questions from the monthly paper.
The full text will appear in Gay Times on December 14.
Mr Richardson said: ``I faxed him a series of questions and he replied in writing.
``Broadly he defends the operation. He says it was not an anti-gay, but it was specifically concerning the alleged actions of a 13-year-old boy and the other people who were caught up in it.''
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