Former teacher accused of abusing children at Fettes College and Edinburgh Academy named as Iain Wares

A former teacher accused of abusing children at two private schools in Edinburgh has been named, after an order preventing his identification was lifted.

The man, who was previously only known as Edgar, has been identified as Iain Wares, 83, from South Africa.

He was previously classed as a “protected person” after claims that he abused children in the 1960s and 1970s at Fettes College and Edinburgh Academy came to light.

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who previously alleged he was abused by Wares when he attended Edinburgh Academy, is among those who have called for him to be extradited to Scotland.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) announced on Tuesday that permission had been given by the inquiry’s chair to publish identifying inquiry evidence.

Nicky Campbell has accused Iain Wares of abusing him at Edinburgh Academy. PA Media

According to the SCAI, a public hearing was held on February 23 at which applications were made by victims and the media to identify Wares.

The chair, the Right Honourable Lady Smith, has published her decision in writing.

She said that due to the nature and extent of information publicly available about Wares and the extensive nature of the allegations against him, there was a “powerful case” to grant identification.

Additionally, Lady Smith wrote that the public interest is not just in hearing that a teacher could have perpetrated “dreadful and widespread abuse” against schoolchildren, but also in knowing his identity.

She concluded: “The permission I give to disclose or publish inquiry evidence that identifies Iain Wares is given with immediate effect.”

According to Lady Smith, Wares returned to live in South Africa in 1979.

She said in her decision: “He is accused of having committed numerous offences against numerous children who he is said to have abused at the schools.”