The solicitor of a mum whose young son was killed by a falling gravestone said it was 'vital' his family are at the inquiry.

Speaking after the Evening Times revealed Ciaran Williamson's father had been denied legal aid to help pay for a lawyer at the upcoming Fatal Accident Inquiry, Stephanie Griffin's solicitor said they expected to find out in two weeks if her legal aid has been approved.

Mark Gibson, of Digby Brown, said it was "of vital importance" the family are represented.

Read more: Family of Ciaran Williamson fear they will never get answers after FAI legal aid bid is denied

He said: "For example, it was clear from the preliminary hearing that the Procurator Fiscal is not prepared to instruct skilled engineer's evidence and evidence from industry experts to look into the condition of the memorial supports, the likely forces applied by the boys, whether there was a reasonable system of inspection and topple testing that ought to have been followed and whether such a system might have prevented the accident.

"These matters are not within judicial knowledge and it is unclear how the Sheriff can be expected to reach a comprehensive determination without the assistance of such witnesses and reports."

Ciaran, eight, died in May last year when a gravestone at Craigton Cemetery collapsed on top of him.

The Evening Times revealed yesterday how his dad Ryan and gran Margaret are now concerned their questions over why Ciaran died will be overlooked, and they will never find the answers they are desperately seeking.

Their current solicitor Cameron Fyfe, of Drummond Miller, has also been left astounded by the decision to reject the application.

The family have used up their only appeal so are now left with no other options to secure funding unless they can find a lawyer to represent them for free.

Cameron Fyfe said: "For a situation as important, emotional, and tragic as this, I am astonished that Legal Aid has been refused.

"For an FAI Legal Aid is usually granted, in my experience.

"Sometimes the Legal Aid board will say the Procurator Fiscal is there so they can advise the clients and keep them right. Our response to that is that we're coming at it from a different angle.

Read more: Family of Ciaran Williamson fear they will never get answers after FAI legal aid bid is denied

"We are looking at who is to blame, and could pursue for compensation, which isn't the Fiscal's concern. For that reason alone, Legal Aid should be granted and it normally is.

"As things stand just now, they will have to represent themselves, which is really unfair in something as emotional and important as this."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Legal Aid Board said the application for funding did not show that solicitors representing the family would be looking for different information than the Procurator Fiscal.

He said: "We considered this case at great length and appreciate this is a difficult time for the relatives.

"Any Legal Aid application for separate legal representation at an FAI must show why the procurator fiscal would be unable to obtain all the relevant evidence about the circumstances of the death."

The first hearing of the FAI into Ciaran's death was held earlier this month. The full inquiry is due to start in November.