Legislation to abolish the need for corroboration in criminal trials is to be delayed in a major U-turn by the Scottish justice secretary.
Kenny MacAskill announced yesterday the next stage of scrutiny of the Criminal Justice Bill would not take place until potential safeguards to prevent miscarriages of justice had been considered. The Scottish Government proposal to remove the requirement for evidence to come from two agreeing sources in criminal trials has been criticised by members of the legal profession and opposition politicians.
Stage two is now likely to be after April 2015, when Lord Bonomy’s review group – tasked with considering additional safeguards – has reported back with its recommendations. Mr MacAskill said the government was still committed to abolishing the corroboration requirement, but he had listened to concerns.
He said: “That is why we gave careful consideration to – and in the spirit of co-operation have accepted – the suggestion from opposition members that stage two should commence after Lord Bonomy’s review has been completed.” Scots Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said his “change of heart” was a “victory for commonsense”. “People will breathe a sigh of relief today having watched the justice secretary step back from the brink,” she said.
“Parliament should never be asked to pass legislation before it has considered all the implications.”
Ian Cruickshank, of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “This is very good news. The Scottish Government is to be commended for listening and responding positively to the many groups who have expressed such concern over the approach which was being taken.”
For Labour, Graeme Pearson said: “This is a welcome U-turn. The force of opposition to the SNP’s approach was significant.” Scottish Tory justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: “Looking at this with a cynical eye, it could be observed that this has been ‘parked’ until well after the referendum.
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