Bereaved parents appeal for public inquiry into baby ashes scandal Bereaved parents took photographs of their dead infants to the Scottish Parliament as part of a campaign for a public inquiry into the mishandling of babies' ashes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk and Aberdeen. The meeting was hosted by Labour leader Johann Lamont and backed by Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Green co-convener Patrick Harvie, as well as MSPs from their parties. No government ministers or SNP MSPs attended. SNP MSP Bob Doris, deputy convener of Holyrood's Health Committee, said he would attend but did not, Ms Lamont told the meeting. A complaint has been lodged with the Scottish Parliament's chief executive claiming attendees were going to be "harassed" into backing their call for an inquiry, according to Ms Lamont. Campaigners and opposition MSPs denied that they planned to "ambush" MSPs with a petition of support. A petition was circulated and "pledge cards" handed out calling for support. Willie Reid, chair of Mortonhall Ashes Action Committee (Maac) from Edinburgh, said: "Every MSP was invited, and I personally bumped into Mr Salmond last Wednesday having met with Ruth Davidson. I personally invited him and he made an instant refusal at that time. He didn't give a reason. He just said he couldn't make it. Ms Lamont said: "Everyone was invited across parties because this is beyond party politics. There was a complaint made to the chief executive yesterday that I was inviting people who were then going to be harassed into signing a petition. We have been struck by the dignity of the parents who have taken the courage to tell their stories, so there was no intention to harass anybody. We don't know who made the complaint, but my office responded by showing the invitations which were very carefully worded showing how difficult it is for the families, and how it was an opportunity for the families to tell their stories. We have had an apology from (SNP MSP) Annabel Ewing, and Bob Doris indicated he would come but maybe he has been caught up in something else. Responding to Mr Reid's claims, the Scottish Government circulated a typed letter dated June 18 2013, signed by Mr Salmond, stating: "Thank you for your emails of 6 and 12 June, and for bringing your correspondence to my attention when we met last week. I was very sorry to hear of your deeply upsetting experiences, and share your desire to ensure that the incidents at Mortonhall Crematorium are investigated thoroughly. I am confident that Dame Elish Angiolini will conduct a robust investigation into the former practices and policies at Mortonhall and within Edinburgh City Council. He said the Bonomy Commission will provide "the quickest and most effective path to updating legislation" and that calls for a public inquiry are best determined once it has been completed alongside the Angiolini investigation. He encouraged campaigners to write to the commission. SNP MSP Bob Doris said: "I had hoped to attend the parliamentary meeting today with the Glasgow Answers for Ashes Parents. Indeed I had contacted the chairperson to say I intended to go along. Parliamentary commitments meant I was unable to do so and I have already apologised to the chair for not being able to make it. I have requested to meet the group back in Glasgow as I am keen to listen to their views. As a Glasgow MSP I have already made representations to the City Council on this matter on behalf of constituents who have contacted me.