Management at the St James Centre in Edinburgh, responsible for the incident on 15 October in which a hobby photographer was harrassed by over zealous security personnel, have offered an apology for the incident, which they say was "not appropriate".

The incident led to an impromptu photo flashmob descending on Multrees Walk in protest.

However the centre management have refused to engage with follow up inquiries and have confirmed that they will not respond to the queries put to it by The Firm, detailed below.

"Following an incident recently when visitors to Multrees Walk were approached by contract security staff and prevented from taking photos we have been asked to review our policy and have done so," the centre said in a statement.

"We would like to confirm that photography is not banned at Multrees Walk and that people doing this will not be stopped unless they are conducting a professional photo-shoot or filming, in which case they will still need permission from Centre Management in advance. Members of the public taking photos for their own use should be allowed to continue and we will be instructing our security staff accordingly.

"The safety and security of our visitors and occupiers is of paramount importance to us and we work closely with Lothian and Borders Police as the threat of crime and terrorism is ever present, nevertheless we recognise that what happened in this case was not appropriate. We want to apologise to the individuals who were involved last week."

The centre's management confirmed to The Firm today that they will not be responding to The Firm's follow up queries, which were:

"Do you claim that Multrees Walk is a private street?

"If so, who owns it?

"What is its status in terms of adoption by Edinburgh Council?

"Who employs the Security Staff, and what is the extent of their perimeter?

"Have the personnel concerned been identified to you, and were they employed by you?

"Are they still employed by you?

"Have any disciplinary steps been taken?

"Do you plan to post warning signs about what type of conduct is permitted in Multrees Walk?

"On what authority is certain conduct prohibited? (local byelaws/council provisions, for instance)?

"Is anyone prepared to meet with the individuals concerned, and what if any measures of compensation are being offered?

"What explanation has been offered by the security staff: did they believe an act of terrorism was being planned?"