Brothel boss barred from becoming Edinburgh landlord

A man convicted of running a brothel has been barred from becoming a landlord in Edinburgh.

Ian Haig admitted operating the Scorpio Leisure sauna on Albion Road between 2016 and 2022 at a court case last year.

Haig, 83, applied to become a landlord of two flats in undisclosed locations in the city.

But City of Edinburgh Council's licensing committee rejected the bid after he failed to declare details of the conviction.

Neither Haig, nor a representative for him, were present for the meeting on Monday.

Police Scotland sent a letter to the committee outlining details of the conviction.

Officers investigated the facility in August 2022 after a woman's death. It was later ruled as non-suspicious.

The probe uncovered evidence the sauna was being used as a brothel. Haig pleaded guilty to operating the premises in July 2025.

The sauna has since been converted into flats.

The committee heard Haig had declared a previous conviction in September 1996 on his application.

Convener, councillor Jo Mowat, said: "Where necessary committee will take the decision to remove a landlord from the register."

Four other landlords were struck off the register during the meeting after being declared "not fit and proper".

Additional reporting by local democracy reporter Joe Sullivan.