Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 25 November 2020
I was the minister who was in charge when the interim report was published in June 2019.
I do not think that the action tracker is a bad idea. I am more than happy to look at it, and do not see why I would not do that. Of course, the report and the recommendations are public; people can view them. However, if Liam Kerr thinks that an action tracker would help to focus their minds, I am more than happy to consider that. I see no reason why that should not be the case.
Given the extent of many of Dame Elish Angiolini’s recommendations, it is right that we take time to consider them. They are significant and will require legislative change. I have been having a discussion with the Justice Committee’s convener about how tight the timetable is for parliamentary business, which means that getting legislation passed will be incredibly difficult. However, it is important that we do not rush it.
I accept that there is a need and a desire for change in the complaints process; I associate myself with that desire. However, it is important that we get this right, and do not rush it.
I will conclude by saying that I recognise that every one of us across the chamber wants exactly the same thing: a complaints process that has the highest degree of public confidence, and which is seen to be absolutely independent, fair and transparent. My belief is that we have in place a good complaints process in place, but I do not want just a good complaints process. I want the very best; I want the gold standard. That is important for me as justice secretary, but it is more important—it is vital—for the public. As the chief constable regularly states, policing in Scotland does not derive its consent from Parliament or from ministerial direction, but from the public.
Therefore, I commit to working across the parties and with stakeholders to ensure that we consider Dame Elish Angiolini’s report carefully, and that we implement the recommendations.
I move amendment S5M-23450.2, to leave out from “, and calls on” to end and insert:
“; welcomes the review as a detailed and substantial piece of work with over 80 recommendations in total that will require careful consideration from the Scottish Government, Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), police staff associations and trade unions, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; recognises the significant public interest that there is in having a rights-based approach to the issue of the handling of police complaints; notes that Dame Elish Angiolini will give evidence to the Justice Sub Committee on Policing on 7 December 2020; further notes a number of recommendations would require legislative change; acknowledges the Chief Constable’s membership of the National Police Chiefs' Council, which provides an opportunity, where appropriate, to share best practice across the UK; calls on the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders to meet as a matter of urgency to consider the implementation of recommendations; notes the recommendations for wide-ranging changes to the role, responsibilities and structure of the PIRC, which will require public consultation involving police staff associations and trade unions, and urges the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to update the Parliament on discussions with key stakeholders and his response to the report early in the New Year.”
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