Committee
Justice Committee 11 December 2012
11 Dec 2012 · S4 · Justice Committee
Item of business
Petition
Justice for Megrahi (PE1370)
I hope that the committee agrees to keep the petition open. The papers that we have from the Justice for Megrahi committee mention significant issues.We should draw a distinction between complaints about service delivery by organisations such as the Crown Office and the police service, and serious accusations against individuals who work for those organisations. There are issues for others to speak about relating to confidential covers that are put on letters and what the expectations about them are from all sides. I certainly understand why the Justice for Megrahi people feel aggrieved about the manner in which the issue came into the public domain.I refer to the end of the first paragraph under the heading “Discussion” on page 5 of paper 3. It seems to me that there is a classic catch-22 situation. There is understandable frustration where there are serious allegations for the Crown Office, which may be expected to act in the roles of judge, jury and accused.There are a number of unresolved issues. For that reason, I sincerely hope that committee members will agree to keep the petition open. That would certainly be the public expectation.
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
I do not use the bing-bong button very often, but I used it there. I will not name names, but members have had 10 minutes.Agenda item 4 is petition PE1370, f...
John Finnie
Ind
I hope that the committee agrees to keep the petition open. The papers that we have from the Justice for Megrahi committee mention significant issues.We shou...
Roderick Campbell
SNP
It remains the case that the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission can consider a previously abandoned appeal. I think that Mr Megrahi died in May. That ...
Colin Keir
SNP
I agree.
David McLetchie
Con
I concur with what John Finnie and Roderick Campbell have said. We should keep the petition open until we get information back from Dumfries and Galloway Con...
The Convener
SNP
You may remember that there must be title and interest in pursuing a case. It would probably be a matter for the court to decide whether there was a close en...
Jenny Marra
Lab
I think that the petition should be kept open, for all the reasons that have been rehearsed, but particularly because there seem to be unanswered questions w...
Sandra White
SNP
I concur.
Alison McInnes
LD
I also concur.
Graeme Pearson
Lab
So do I.
The Convener
SNP
It is unanimous.
John Finnie
Ind
It would be appropriate for the committee to keep a watching brief on the issue of the complaint against the Crown Office, which could have implications beyo...
The Convener
SNP
Can we think about what we might do in that regard on another occasion, rather than today? Rather than being proactive, we are keeping the petition open and ...
John Finnie
Ind
Yes.
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. We will keep the petition open, pro tem.