Top school in 'underage sex' investigation

The pupils from George Watson's College were at a private Hogmanay party during the school holidays on Easter Hill near Napier University's Craighouse campus when the alleged incident is said to have taken place.

Comments were subsequently posted on social networking sites, including Facebook, and staff became aware of what had happened.

The information has now been taken down from the websites but it is also claimed that photographs were taken on the evening and may have been circulated among pupils.

Police were called and are now investigating, but the children are continuing to attend the 9,426-a-year school.

Sources at the school suggested a third male pupil could have been involved in recording the incident but last night police said their current inquiries were limited to only two boys.

Easter Hill offers panoramic views of the capital and older Watson's pupils have traditionally gathered there for Hogmanay celebrations.

It is thought the youngsters had been drinking when three of them - two 16-year-old boys and a 14-year-old girl - broke off from the larger group.

Police say they do not have any information to suggest any of the other children witnessed what followed, with the trio allegedly taking part in sexual acts.

It is illegal to have sex with a minor, even if it is consensual, and it is also illegal to upload videos of someone under 16 having sex.

George Watson's College, which counts such famous names as Sir Chris Hoy and Lord David Steel among its alumni, has issued only a brief statement about the incident to confirm it was being dealt with by the police. However, in a letter to parents, the principal, Gareth Edwards, admitted the school is also involved.

He wrote: "The school is involved, as the matter constitutes a child protection issue, and in accordance with our responsibilities, we've been working with the relevant authorities.

"The matter is in the hands of Lothian and Borders Police and we are unable to make any statement to the press, nor are we able to provide details to any other parties. However, I would like to reassure parents that we continue, through our personal and social development programmes, to provide pupils with advice and support, so that young people are in a position to make informed and appropriate choices.

"I wish to reassure you that the school will continue to take appropriate and measured steps, based upon the confidential information to which it is privy."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an alleged sexual offence that occurred in the Craighouse area of Edinburgh on Hogmanay. Inquiries are ongoing."Police did not learn about the incident until days afterwards, and the delay has hampered their investigations. However, they have since spoken to as many people as possible about the incident.

It is not the first time the school has had to deal with controversy. A teacher quit following allegations he kissed and touched a 17-year-old pupil in 2006.

Last October, a 14-year-old boy, writing on a suicide support chatroom, threatened to shoot bullies at the school. Police searched his home, but the boy insisted he was not a serious threat and no further action was taken.

Two teenagers were withdrawn after drug dealing was discovered on campus at the start of 2006.