Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 01 May 2018
01 May 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Rape Crisis Centres and Prosecutions
Although the Solicitor General says that the policy is not about compelling witnesses, she also says that the court reserves the right to do so. Those are exactly the words that have a chilling effect on victims who are considering coming forward. Will she consider giving witnesses and victims the right to refuse to give evidence? I understand that she wants to explore the possibility of continuing a case when a person expresses reluctance, but surely she agrees that a victim of rape must ultimately have the right to refuse to give evidence.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-11217, in the name of Kezia Dugdale, on support for rape crisis centres and prosecution...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I thank colleagues for staying for this debate on what I think is a critical issue. The motion before us has four key themes. The first recognises that ther...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
It is difficult for me to believe that we are having this debate. We know it is difficult enough for someone to report a rape. We also know that the earlier...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I remind all members who wish to speak that they are required to press the request-to-speak button. I am looking at a member who has not pressed the button. ...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Kezia Dugdale for bringing this important topic to the chamber. When I first read in the press about this change of policy, I was shocked. Frankly, I...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have 11 members still wishing to speak. I am therefore minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3, to extend the debate by up to 30 minute...
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on support for Rape Crisis centres and prosecutions. I thank Kezia Dugdale for lodging the motion, which be...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I rise to my feet with a considerable amount of trepidation. I am mindful, as I speak, that I do not have experience in two critical ways. I have not been a ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I am sorry, but you must conclude.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I will conclude, then—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
No. You really must conclude, and I will tell you why if you sit down, please, Mr Johnson. We cannot extend the meeting further so, if everybody goes over t...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
You are quite right, Presiding Officer, that this is a very important debate, and it is on a very emotional subject. It is some time since my police days, bu...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I endorse and agree with Kezia Dugdale’s opening speech and the five points that she powerfully made. There are not many times that a sensitive, tricky, diff...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Kezia Dugdale on securing time for this debate and on her powerful contribution this evening. It is good to see cross-party unity in this cham...
Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP)
SNP
I commend Kezia Dugdale on bringing forward this motion, which I know reflects her personal conviction and political commitment. I would like to focus my con...
Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Kezia Dugdale for bringing forward today’s debate on a very important subject. I want to take this opportunity to note the work of the rape crisis ce...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I add my thanks and congratulations to my friend and colleague Kez Dugdale for bringing this hugely important motion before us this evening. Until very rece...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, thank Kezia Dugdale for bringing this important debate to the Parliament. I think that there is a strong recognition in the chamber this evening that...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate Kezia Dugdale on securing time to bring this vital issue to the chamber. The issue is complex and emotive. The Crown Office and Procura...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, thank Kezia Dugdale for taking urgent action to secure cross-party support to allow this important debate to go ahead. I pay tribute to her tireless ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call the Solicitor General to close the debate. You have up to seven minutes, or thereabouts. 18:08
The Solicitor General for Scotland (Alison Di Rollo)
I, too, thank Kezia Dugdale for bringing the matter to the chamber and for giving me an opportunity, which I consider to be very important, to clarify what t...
Kezia Dugdale
Lab
I am listening very carefully to what the Solicitor General has to say. I invite her to respond to the reality of the testimony that I have put forward, whic...
The Solicitor General
We have discussed that with Rape Crisis and will work with it and Police Scotland, because in dealing with victims and encouraging them to come forward and s...
The Solicitor General
The work that we are doing with Rape Crisis is about saying to victims, “Although it is our decision to prosecute, nevertheless we will engage with you. We w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
He does. He has been on his feet for a wee while. Will you take the intervention, Solicitor General?
The Solicitor General
Yes.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Although the Solicitor General says that the policy is not about compelling witnesses, she also says that the court reserves the right to do so. Those are ex...
The Solicitor General
No, I cannot agree with that. The difficulty with it is legal and ethical, and comes down to positive obligations and convention rights to which we are subje...
John Finnie
Green
Will the Solicitor General take an intervention on that point?