Former Fornethy House headmistress 'would have faced action had she not died'

Lawyers representing survivors of abuse at Fornethy House say they have “no doubt” that the school’s former headmistress would also have faced legal proceedings, had she not passed away.

Margaret Fletcher, known as Pearl, was in charge at Fornethy, where hundreds of girls alleged they were abused.

STV News understands Police Scotland interviewed Fletcher in relation to other allegations of abuse before her death.

Thousands of girls from disadvantaged backgrounds were sent to Fornethy House in Kilry, for “short-term respite care” by Glasgow Corporation – later renamed Glasgow City Council – and its education services between 1960 and the 1990s.

The stays often lasted several weeks before the children were returned to their parents.

Hundreds of girls claim to have been abused at Fornethy House STV News

In the years following the school’s closure, hundreds of survivors began speaking out about the physical and sexual abuse they had endured.

On Wednesday, former teacher Patricia Robertson became the first person convicted of abusing girls at the school.

The 77-year-old was found guilty of 18 charges involving the cruel and unnatural treatment of children in her care, including force-feeding them until they gagged, striking them with a ruler and dragging them by their hair.

Robertson is due to be sentenced on December 3.

Glasgow & West

Former teacher, 77, convicted of historical abuse of girls at Fornethy House

Patricia Robertson, 77, was found guilty of ‘cruel and unnatural treatment’ of girls at Fornethy House.

In 2024, Glasgow City Council issued an apology to women who were abused at the school.

Council leader Susan Aitken said: “I was shocked and I know we will all have been shocked to hear those accounts of abuse.

“On behalf of the council, I want to apologise and say sorry for any abuse suffered by any children who attended Fornethy House.”

Forbes to meet with Fornethy victims

It was revealed last year that victims were not eligible for compensation after Fornethy House records were destroyed, meaning survivors were unlikely to meet the evidentiary requirements for compensation.

The deputy first minister has said following Robertson’s conviction, she will meet members of the Fornethy Survivors Group.

Kate Forbes said: “I have engaged closely with the Fornethy Survivors Group on a number of occasions, and have the greatest of respect for the courage and bravery they have shown in their pursuit of justice.

“Eligibility for the redress scheme, agreed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament, focuses on those who were primarily in long-term care during childhood, often isolated with limited or no contact with their families.

“I will be pleased to meet the Fornethy survivors again shortly.”