The Scottish Conservatives have warned John Swinney that they can’t vote for the SNP’s flagship justice bill unless he accepts “common-sense changes” to strengthen the rights of victims.
Holyrood’s largest opposition party have submitted several key amendments to the Victims’ Bill, which MSPs are expected to vote on today (Tuesday).
Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said the legislation, as it currently stands, is “a Victims’ Bill in name only”, which fails to deliver the change that victims of crime “need and deserve”.
Among the key amendments the party want to see are the following:
- Initiating an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland
- Ensuring victims are always informed if a decision is taken not to prosecute someone
- Informing all victims when plea deals are struck between defence and prosecution lawyers
- Requiring victim statements to be read out in court, by victims themselves if they choose
- Ensuring a real Suzanne’s Law, that would mean “no body, no release”
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: “Parliament has the chance to reboot Scotland’s justice system so that it finally gives crime victims the rights they need and deserve.
“But the SNP bill, as it currently stands, fails to deliver that, so we can’t vote for it.
“At the moment, it’s a Victims’ Bill in name only – a wasted opportunity.
“The Scottish Conservatives have submitted several common-sense amendments to strengthen this bill and deliver the real change that victims’ groups demand.
“I’m pleased that the SNP have backed our calls to scrap the not proven verdict and have heeded our opposition to their juryless trials plan – but now they must go further.
“I urge the Nationalists to accept our amendments, instead of selling victims short.”