SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) has reportedly admitted liability after a teacher was convicted of assaulting children with learning difficulties.

Linda McCall was found guilty earlier this year of assaulting five pupils between August 2016 and October 2017 while employed by the local authority, as well as one count of threatening or abusive behaviour.

McCall had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation was carried out by the council following complaints from parents.

READ MORE: Borders woman appears at court on consecutive days for breaching bail conditions

On reports that SBC has now admitted liability in the civil case launched by the parents, Christine Grahame – MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency – has accused the council of “an abhorrent breach of trust”.

“The parents have now been vindicated in both the criminal court and civil court, however this I know is cold comfort,” the SNP representative said. “At the centre of all this we have young children, often non verbal and unable to clearly communicate, who have been traumatised by the abuse they endured, abuse which they were unable to understand or communicate to anyone.

“It is an abhorrent breach of trust by those we trust to care for the most vulnerable in society and SBC must face up to its role in this.”

Ms Grahame added that it has been “three and a half years of an uphill slog to try and get a semblance of justice for these families”.

READ MORE: Borders Buses: Service cancellations continue following coronavirus outbreak

An independent inquiry into how the council dealt with complaints made about McCall is currently ongoing.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “This remains an ongoing legal matter, which is being undertaken on behalf of Scottish Borders Council by external solicitors, and it has not yet been finalised. We have no further comment to make at this stage.

“An independent inquiry led by Andrew Webster QC, which is considering the council’s handling of concerns raised about the former employee, is still ongoing. As soon as this work is completed we will look to share its outcomes.”