Kayak death victim hailed for G8 police role

Pc Allan McLean’s body was found in the water near Musselburgh on Friday evening after an empty kayak was spotted in the Firth of Forth.

The father-of two had been in the police for 19 years, spending the majority of that time as a community officer in Midlothian and East Lothian.

He had extensive experience as a public order officer and had latterly worked in policy support, based in Edinburgh.

Pc McLean, 40, served on the planning team for the G8 summit at Gleneagles in 2005, and received the Chief Constable’s Commendation for his contribution to the event.

In a statement issued by Police Scotland, his grieving family said: “Allan was a dearly loved husband and father to two young girls and will leave a huge gap in the family.”

Colleagues described Pc McLean, an experienced kayaker, as an avid outdoors enthusiast who was a well-liked member of the police community.

Chief Superintendent Andrew Morris said: “Allan was an energetic individual who had a huge number of friends throughout the force.

“He was always taking opportunities to develop himself and was currently studying for a law degree.

“His enthusiasm was infectious and he will be greatly missed by friends and colleagues.”

Former colleague Neil Hunter said Pc McLean, known as “Sparky” to friends, was a “genuine, lovely guy”.

He said: “A moment in his company could light up the dullest day, and he was one of these people who could light up a room just by walking into it, with his cheeky smile or from the sound of his unmistakable booming voice.”

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Pc McLean’s death, adding that a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

A fishing vessel raised the alarm after spotting the kayak floating in the Forth with no-one on board on Friday. A passer-by on the shore then spotted a person in the water off Musselburgh’s Goose Green Place and called emergency services.

The RNLI Kinghorn lifeboat, two fishing vessels and a search and rescue helicopter were involved in the search.

The kayak was found around three miles off Port Seton.