Meeting of the Parliament 30 April 2024
Given the independent legal system that we have in Scotland, the issue is an entirely devolved matter for the Parliament, and the fastest way for a blanket exoneration to be taken forward is through primary legislation here, in the Scottish Parliament.
Just before I give way to Keith Brown, I will say that this is where we come to an issue. We have heard positive comments from Scottish Government ministers that they want to legislate as quickly as possible, and we welcome that, but we have also heard conflicting comments from the Lord Advocate, who serves not just as the head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland but as a member of the Scottish Government, sitting at the Cabinet table. Until we know whether her position has changed or whether it remains the case that she is against a blanket exoneration, we will be no further forward.
The reason why I think that it is so important that we have the statement tomorrow—I hope that the Scottish Government business manager will accept this on the Government’s behalf—is that we last heard from the Lord Advocate on 16 January. Three and a half months later, this Parliament and, more importantly, sub-postmasters deserve to know the current position of both the Lord Advocate and the Scottish Government.
I will give way to Mr Brown.