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THE leader of Edinburgh City Council has announced a crackdown on begging and graffiti near one of the Capital's most prestigious hotels.
Councillor Donald Anderson is taking a zero tolerance stance on graffiti to the area surrounding the Scotsman Hotel and claims there is "no excuse" for beggars sleeping rough in nearby closes.
The disgusting state of the Scotsman Steps, beside the Scotsman Hotel, was blasted by the hotel manager last month and the stairs have now been cleaned.
But Fleshmarket Close, which also adjoins the hotel, remains in a state Cllr Anderson has described as "terrible".
He has now vowed to stamp out graffiti, sleeping rough, begging and litter in the close.
After discussions with experts on how to clear graffiti from old buildings in the heart of the city without damaging the walls, the council is introducing a new chemical-based cleaning system...