Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2016
I am aware of the evidence that was provided to the Justice Committee and I am also aware that PIRC requested specific evidence of such matters. It is my understanding that no evidence has been provided to PIRC on any particular incidences to date. If allegations are being made about how the counter-corruption unit has operated, or even how PIRC has operated, it is important that evidence is submitted, so that the issues can be considered.
Members have often stated that the SPA does not go ahead and get involved in matters that need to be reformed in Police Scotland or address issues that have been raised about Police Scotland. Here we have the SPA doing exactly what it should, which is asking HMICS to carry out a review of the counter-corruption unit. Once that is complete, the most appropriate and sensible thing to do is to wait for the report to be completed, at which point the SPA and Police Scotland should consider what measures should be taken. That demonstrates the governance process of the new single police force operating in the way that it should. The SPA should be looking into these matters, and that work is on-going. I have no doubt that it will consider HMICS’s report once it has been submitted.