Holyrood, made browsable

Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

129
Current MSPs
415
MSPs ever elected
13
Parties on record
2,354,908
Hansard contributions
1999–2026
Coverage span
Official Report

Search Hansard contributions

Showing 47 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
I welcome Mr and Mrs Chhokar, Mrs Manjit Sangha and Mr Aamer Anwar to give evidence on the report by Dr Raj Jandoo. I realise that it must be difficult to come along and give evidence after such a long time, but we hope that today's meeting will be useful. If at any time durin...
Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab Chamber
07 Nov 2001
Chhokar Inquiries
It is intolerable that, after three years, we are still discussing this issue, wondering what we should do and agonising about it. It is intolerable because the Chhokar family are having to endure constant reminders of their terrible loss and are having to publicly parade thei...
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Item 7 is the "Report of the inquiry into the liaison arrangements between the police, the Procurator Fiscal Service and the Crown Office and the family of the deceased Surjit Singh Chhokar in connection with the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar and the related prosecutions" by ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
10 Sep 2002
Work Programme
To update members, I wrote to Mr Chhokar and his representatives at the beginning of the recess. During the recess, Michael McMahon, the clerks and I arranged to go to Hamilton to meet Mr Chhokar and his representative to have an informal meeting about how they wanted the comm...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
Item 4 follows on from the previous meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee. We will consider the evidence that we heard on 16 December from the law officers and the Chhokar family and its representative about the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar. On the strength of that ev...
The Convener: Lab Committee
19 Dec 2000
Chhokar Inquiries
Members will recall that, last week, we discussed briefly what action the committee might want to take in relation to the Surjit Singh Chhokar case. We asked Michael McMahon, the race reporter, to write a paper outlining the options that are available. Rather than including th...
The Convener: Lab Committee
19 Dec 2000
Chhokar Inquiries
My personal opinion is that the Lord Advocate did not put forward particularly convincing arguments as to why the inquiries should be held in private. On the other hand, I do not feel that the committee is equipped to conduct its own inquiry. We would have to appoint an advise...
The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee
27 Feb 2001
Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 27 February 2001<br />(Morning)
We will get started. I apologise for the delay in starting, which is due partly to my being late because of the bad weather and partly to the fact that the committee has been discussing whether to proceed with item 3 on the agenda, which is the Crown Office inquiry into relati...
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
I take it that the committee is agreeing to have a special meeting and that the meeting should be held in a location that is as convenient as possible for the Chhokar family. We will ask the clerks to consult with the family and their representatives to find out which venue wo...
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
We should also contact the Chhokar family and their representatives to advise them of what the committee has agreed.
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
The same arrangements will be in place as when we were discussing the remit of the report with the law officers. We will make sure that simultaneous translation is available on the day. I presume that the Official Report of the meeting will be translated into different ethnic ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
22 Jan 2002
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
The arrangements will be the same as those we discussed previously. The meeting will be held at the most convenient location for the Chhokars and simultaneous translation will be available. Given that the committee was keen for the Chhokar family to be involved in the evidence...
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
I am sorry, Mr Chhokar. I apologise for the fact that it is very distressing for you to give evidence to us. The committee does not feel that you are on trial. We are happy to hear evidence from your representative, Aamer Anwar, on your behalf. The committee wants to assist yo...
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Thank you for coming along to give evidence. I know that it has been difficult. We will now take evidence from the Crown Office. We will discuss at a future meeting what action the committee will take. When the Official Report comes out, we would be interested to hear your fee...
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Before we start again, I remind everyone to speak slowly and clearly, as the proceedings are still being translated for the Chhokar family, who are in the public gallery. I welcome Colin Boyd, the Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini, the Solicitor General for Scotland, and Jim Wall...
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
I point out for information that Mr Sheridan referred to paragraph 21.19 on page 173 of the Jandoo report, which states:"It is also hard to escape the conclusion, from the accounts quoted above, that Mr Anwar was putting pressure on Mr Chhokar, sometimes against his will."I as...
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
As there are no other questions, I thank the minister for attending the meeting. The committee will discuss the evidence that we have taken today at our next meeting.As I said, the committee strongly feels that it wants to publish the Chhokar family justice campaign submission...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
I do not see why we cannot reach a solution without having a vote, because there are not miles between people's positions. For the record, if the first meeting that we arranged to take evidence from the law officers had gone ahead—it was prior to the inquiries; we had wanted t...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Mar 2000
Progress Reports
Thank you. I have not received that yet, but I have no doubt that I will.Michael McMahon suggested that we invite Jim Wallace for an update of the review of the Stephen Lawrence report and, because much of the report referred to the police, that we invite APCOS as well. He sug...
The Convener: Lab Committee
19 Dec 2000
Chhokar Inquiries
Do members agree to adopt recommendation 5 of Michael McMahon's report?Members indicated agreement.
The Convener: Lab Committee
19 Dec 2000
Chhokar Inquiries
I should write to the conveners of the justice committees, enclosing a copy of the Official Report of today's meeting. It may be possible in future to establish a joint sub-committee to examine areas in which there is a crossover between legal competence and discrimination. We...
The Convener: Lab Committee
27 Feb 2001
Police Race Relations
I thank the witnesses for coming this morning. The committee will obviously have you along again to discuss the Chhokar case—possibly before the inquiry is published, or after it is published.
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
We will have to hold the meeting as soon as possible. I suspect that it will have to be on a Monday as the meeting will be outwith the Parliament. I know that that will not be convenient for everybody but I hope that as many people as possible will attend a special meeting at ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
I do not want the committee to get diaries out and discuss dates. We will get back to members and contact them by e-mail so that the meeting can be arranged as soon as possible. We also need to decide what we want from that meeting.
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
The committee will take evidence from various witnesses—they have yet to be decided—and decide whether to make recommendations to the Crown Office. We will not rule anything out from the recommendations that we might make once we have heard the evidence.Under standing orders, ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Yes, we will do that.Do members have anything else to say on that? Is that course of action agreed?Members indicated agreement.
The Convener: Lab Committee
30 Oct 2001
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
We now move into private for items 8, 9 and 10.
The Convener: Lab Committee
22 Jan 2002
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
We agreed to have a meeting to discuss the Jandoo report, but it has not taken place. Item 4 on the agenda is an update on the situation from Michael McMahon, who has spoken to the Chhokars' representative.
The Convener: Lab Committee
22 Jan 2002
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
Before we move into private session, I inform members that today's meeting is the final one for the clerk, Lee Bridges. I do not know whether he is moving on to better things, but he has another job in the Parliament. I am sure that members will join me in thanking him for the...
The Convener: Lab Committee
10 Sep 2002
Work Programme
If the STUC felt that it had evidence to give, its representatives could come and give evidence to the committee. If we go ahead, the Chhokar family could give written evidence to the committee and others could give oral evidence.
The Convener: Lab Committee
29 Oct 2002
Reporters
We have been trying to organise meetings for some time, but have been unable to do so because of Mr Chhokar's ill health. The purpose of the meeting in November, which we agreed to some time ago, is to ensure that the way in which the subsequent formal committee meeting is con...
The Convener: Lab Committee
26 Nov 2002
Reporters
You said that the meeting is to be held in Edinburgh. Is that at the request of the Chhokar family and its representatives or was it our suggestion?
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Thank you. Does anyone else want to say anything at this stage or will we go right to questions?
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
There is a problem with the interpretation—it is being broadcast on the wrong channel.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Thank you.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
We will start with the Lord Advocate's statement. Jim Wallace's statement will be followed by questions.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Thank you. I invite questions from committee members.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Sorry. I remind members that they should speak slowly to allow for the interpretation.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Could you speak a bit more slowly for the interpreters?
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
The committee will, at our next meeting, discuss this evidence session and the action that we propose to take. Would it be possible for committee members to receive a copy of the report when it comes out?
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
You will certainly be able to read it, as it has been sent to you. We will seek publication of the report and will discuss the matter at our next meeting.
The Convener: Lab Committee
16 Dec 2002
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
That concludes the committee's business.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
I could ask for a full description of progress on that work in the letter.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
That can all go into the same letter. The letter will detail the committee's response to the evidence that it took at its last meeting. The leak was discussed as part of that evidence.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
Are we agreed about the letter?Members indicated agreement.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Jan 2003
Chhokar Inquiries <br />(Jandoo Report)
The final item on the agenda is the committee's work programme. We will now move into private session.
Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab Committee
12 Dec 2000
Forward Programme
The Equal Opportunities Committee discussed this case at its most recent meeting, but could not agree a view on the action of the Lord Advocate. We discussed the matter some time ago, but were unable to do so fully because legal proceedings were taking place and the matter was...
← Back to list
Committee

Equal Opportunities Committee, 16 Dec 2002

16 Dec 2002 · S1 · Equal Opportunities Committee
Item of business
Chhokar Inquiries<br />(Jandoo Report)
Maclean, Kate Lab Dundee West Watch on SPTV
I welcome Mr and Mrs Chhokar, Mrs Manjit Sangha and Mr Aamer Anwar to give evidence on the report by Dr Raj Jandoo. I realise that it must be difficult to come along and give evidence after such a long time, but we hope that today's meeting will be useful. If at any time during the evidence session you feel that you want to stop and take a break, please indicate that to me so that I can suspend the meeting for a short period.This morning's proceedings are being translated from and into Punjabi. For people in the public gallery and in the chamber, the English translation can be heard by selecting channel 1 on the headphones, while the translation into Punjabi can be heard by selecting channel 2. For the benefit of the interpreters, members are asked not to speak too quickly.Members will recall that, at our meeting on 19 December 2000, we agreed to recommendation 5 of Michael McMahon's paper, which was that the committee should consider the manner in which the Jandoo inquiry was conducted and question the Lord Advocate and the Minister for Justice on the implementation of the recommendations.Following publication of the Jandoo report, the committee further discussed the issue on 30 October 2001, when we agreed to consider holding a public meeting at a location more convenient to the Chhokar family in view of Mr Chhokar's health at that time. Following the recent meeting between Michael McMahon and the family, it was agreed that the meeting should be held in Edinburgh. I am glad that Mr Chhokar feels well enough to attend today's meeting.Before we start taking evidence, I want to mention that the committee was given legal advice not to publish the submission from the Chhokar family justice campaign. Having discussed the matter, the committee feels strongly that we want to publish it. We have therefore decided to seek further legal advice in order to allow the submission to be published. That is the wish of the committee.Before we move to questions from members, I invite the witnesses to make a brief opening statement, which I understand will be made by Aamer Anwar. Obviously, if anyone else wants to say anything, they can simply indicate that to me and that will not be a problem.

In the same item of business

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab
I welcome Mr and Mrs Chhokar, Mrs Manjit Sangha and Mr Aamer Anwar to give evidence on the report by Dr Raj Jandoo. I realise that it must be difficult to co...
Mr Aamer Anwar:
We welcome the committee's invitation to give evidence today. We hope that the committee will utilise this opportunity to allow us to set the record straight...
The Convener: Lab
Thank you. Does anyone else want to say anything at this stage or will we go right to questions?
Mr Darshan Singh Chhokar:
(simultaneous interpretation) Why did you not listen to whatever Aamer has said? If you do not understand, why do you not ask again? I cannot understand why ...
The Convener: Lab
I am sorry, Mr Chhokar. I apologise for the fact that it is very distressing for you to give evidence to us. The committee does not feel that you are on tria...
Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP
Thank you so much for coming before the committee this morning. I was particularly struck by what Mr Chhokar has just said, which underlines what the family ...
Mr Anwar:
Manjit Sangha will respond to that. However, before she does so, I want to state that the whole process by which Dr Jandoo arrived at his recommendations was...
Mr Chhokar:
(simultaneous interpretation) If I am a soldier, what can I say against my colonel? I am under his command. You keep saying that the Jandoo recommendations a...
Kay Ullrich: SNP
I was particularly struck by Mrs Manjit Sangha's statement. She said that Jandoo"gives accounts of the interpreting problems that demonstrates no comprehensi...
Mr Chhokar:
(simultaneous interpretation) Whatever is being done, I am not blind or deaf and I have seen and know the world. I know a bit about courts and juries, but pe...
Mr Anwar:
You must understand that this is distressing for Mr Chhokar.
Kay Ullrich: SNP
Indeed.
Mr Anwar:
The family and I read through the report's recommendations and we have to say that, yes, we welcome the recommendations about the police, but I do not think ...
Mrs Manjit Sangha:
Even the letter that my dad got telling him to go to the court in Hamilton last month was written in English. Then a guy was brought into the courtroom as a ...
Kay Ullrich: SNP
I find that appalling. You are saying that the Jandoo recommendations are not being acted on.
Mrs Sangha:
Yes.
Kay Ullrich: SNP
We are back to square one.
Mrs Sangha:
Yes.
Kay Ullrich: SNP
Okay. Thank you.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): Lab
I thank the family for coming along to speak to the committee. I had questions about the Jandoo report and how it is being taken forward. What has just been ...
Mr Chhokar:
(simultaneous interpretation) As far as a public inquiry is concerned, I keep asking that you give me justice—everybody knows that these people killed my son...
Mrs Sangha:
We wanted to have a public inquiry so that everything could be straightforward and done in front of everybody. The inquiries were carried out behind closed d...
Mr Anwar:
Elaine Smith read out a paragraph of our submission. I think that the inquiry was fundamentally flawed. Elish Angiolini, who is now the Solicitor General for...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): SSP
I thank the family for taking the time and making the difficult effort to come here today. The committee appreciates it and we hope to be a source of support...
Mrs Sangha:
Yes, we would love that.
Mr Chhokar:
(simultaneous interpretation) I cannot understand why there have been so many inquiries and why they are all based on me. Nobody has asked the ones who murde...
Mrs Sangha:
We would still like to have a public inquiry. We are not happy with the reports that we have got—we are very disappointed.
Mr Anwar:
In his statement to the Parliament when the second trial finished, the Lord Advocate said that he was against a public inquiry because it would prolong the a...
Tommy Sheridan: SSP
I was particularly struck by—Interruption.
The Convener: Lab
There is a problem with the interpretation—it is being broadcast on the wrong channel.