Probe into 'police blunder' that led to crucial evidence being destroyed

A cabbie told police about the "forensic opportunity" after his taxi was left blood-splattered during an alleged fight between two groups in Glasgow city centre.

However, an apparent blunder led to the vehicle being washed and crucial evidence being destroyed.

An internal probe has now been launched into the handling of the case.

Police were called to the scene, near the Genting Casino in Sauchiehall Street, at around 4am on Wednesday September 16.

Insiders fear the alleged assaults were part of an ongoing feud between rival Triad gangs.

One of the injured men hailed a taxi and fled the scene.

The cabbie called police after he found blood splatter on the outside of his cab when he dropped the passenger off.

A source told the Evening Times: "The driver called the cops and told them that there was blood all over his taxi and asked what should he do about it.

"He was told officers would be sent out.

"But an hour passed and no officer had come to see the vehicle, so he called the police back and was told he was free to wash his car.

"He went to the car wash and got the cab cleaned.

"However, a short time later, an officer called him back, asking him if he had washed the car as they may need the evidence after all.

"But it was too late."

Police admit the motorist was instructed to clean the blood from his car - before realising the severity of the attack.

A police insider claimed the attending officers were given "false information" from witnesses at the scene who said the incident was a "minor disturbance".

Around 30 minutes later, health workers at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary raised the alarm that two men had been admitted with serious injuries.

The insider claimed it was only then - after the cab had been washed - that police realised the alleged attack had taken place.

One man was arrested in connection with the alleged incident.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland said: "In the early stages of the inquiry, a witness was given authority to clean what was believed to be blood from his vehicle.

"Once the exact nature of this incident was known, a full and thorough inquiry was launched leading to the arrest of a man.

"This matter and the entire police response to the incident is being treated as a complaint against the police and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further until the investigation into our response has been completed."

Last week, the Evening Times told how a rookie police officer failed to pass on a possible sighting of missing Janet McKay on the day she vanished.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) is reviewing the case after it was revealed information about the 88-year-old woman was not followed up by officers.

Janet's body was discovered in Clydebank more than a week after she was seen leaving her home in Knightswood.

Her son, George McKay, said the police had been "very supportive" of the family and they had no criticisms of the force.

However, senior officials within the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) criticised the decision to issue a statement explaining that a possible sighting of the pensioner had not been followed up by police officers.

Meanwhile, Police Scotland are facing an independent investigation over its response to a call in Edinburgh.

Officers went to a property in the Portobello area of Edinburgh on Sunday after concern was raised about the welfare of the occupants.

After forcing entry to the home, they discovered the body of 88-year-old Douglas Iggulden.

His 89-year-old wife was found seriously ill.

She remains in hospital.

The incident follows a review of the force's procedures after the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell earlier this year.

The couple lay undiscovered for days in a vehicle near the M9, despite a sighting of their crashed car being reported to a police control-room.