Dear All
It seems that the SNP has taken a moment of
pause over controversial plans to scrap Scotland’s centuries-old rule of
corroboration.
This idea of scrapping corroboration hasn’t
gone down well, like the failing independence campaign, this idea is seeing
fierce opposition for everyone.
The SNP flagship policy is being pushed
back until a review of safeguards has been carried out.
Commentators have spoken out and some say that
the Crime Bill is being used to boost the women’s vote in the referendum.
In trying to force through bad law, the SNP
have cottoned onto using rape cases to justify their plans.
Inept and incompetent Justice Secretary
Kenny MacAskill says he had accepted a proposal from opposition parties to
delay Stage 2 of the Criminal Justice Bill.
A review will be done by a group led by
Lord Bonomy who will report its recommendations possibly during the spring next
year.
After the independence referendum is held.
Apparently the SNP under Alex Salmond and
unpopular Nicola Sturgeon want to destroy the right of Scots to have access to
a fair trial.
MacAskill is the point man running with
this at Justice.
The Crime Bill is a mess; the most
controversial part is the proposal to remove the principle of corroboration,
which requires two independent pieces of evidence to bring a case to trial.
Not unsurprising the flagship SNP policy
has won the backing of the Lord Advocate who is seen as being in the pocket of
the SNP Government wholesale.
However, it isn ’t all sweet sailing as it has
been criticised by many in the legal establishment, including former solicitor
general and High Court judge Lord McCluskey.
MacAskill said:
“The Scottish Government remains firmly
committed to all aspects of the Criminal Justice Bill, including our proposals
to abolish the requirement for corroboration – which as I have said time and
again, is a barrier to justice for too many victims of crimes which are
committed behind closed doors, such as rape and domestic abuse. When we
announced the creation of Lord Bonomy’s review group in February, there were
calls – including from the Law Society and Faculty of Advocates – for us to
remove the corroboration reform from the Bill and to bring forward a separate
Bill later in the session once Lord Bonomy had reported. That was not
acceptable as it is one of the key reforms in the Bill and is vital to
improving the criminal justice system for vulnerable victims. However, we have
also made clear our willingness to listen to constructive proposals in relation
to this key legislation. That is why we gave careful consideration to - and in
the spirit of cooperation have accepted - the suggestion from opposition
members that Stage 2 should commence after Lord Bonomy’s review has been
completed. As the majority of the Bill’s provisions were already due for
implementation in 2015-2016, today’s move will have minimal impact on the
overall timetable for this legislation, while allowing detailed and full
scrutiny of the bill in its entirety and enabling any changes agreed in light
of Lord Bonomy’s recommendations to be included. Most importantly, I now hope
it will enable the whole Parliament to get behind the progressive reforms in
the Bill including the modernising of police powers, enhancement of the rights
of people in police custody and removal of the corroboration requirement.”
What do I take from this?
I take that MacAskill isn’t going to change
anything of note, the SNP still intend to scrap corroboration and they don’t
want a running fight in the run in to the independence vote, hence it is has
been kicked into the long grass.
This SNP Government don’t appoint panels
unless they already decide the outcome in advance.
Kenny MacAskill is the worst Justice Minister in the history of the Holyrood Parliament.
Kenny MacAskill is the worst Justice Minister in the history of the Holyrood Parliament.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow
University
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