Government’s justice reform Bill will be a ‘sham’ without changes, warn Tories

The Government’s flagship justice reform Bill risks being a “sham” if changes are not made, the Scottish Conservatives have warned.

The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is expected to go to a final vote next week and, if passed, it would see the end of the not proven verdict in courts.

It would also make improvements to the victim notification scheme, as well as create what has been called Suzanne’s Law, which would stop killers being released from prison if they do not reveal where the body of their victim is.

The law is named after Suzanne Pilley, who was killed by David Gilroy in 2010 but whose body has never been found.

As the final vote approaches – expected after a marathon session to consider more than 150 amendments – the Tories urged ministers to back their proposed changes.

Party leader Russell Findlay has pushed the Government to support Tory amendments which would ensure victims will be informed if someone will not be prosecuted, as well as being told of plea deals relating to their case, and a requirement for victim statements to be read in court.

The changes would also strengthen the Suzanne’s Law proposals and initiate a Scottish-only inquiry into grooming gangs.

On the latter issue, First Minister John Swinney said on Thursday he does not believe there needs to be such an inquiry.

Mr Findlay said: “If the SNP truly want to put victims at the heart of the justice system, they must accept these common-sense changes to their Bill.

“Their legislation needs serious surgery or it risks being a sham victims’ Bill.“Our amendments toughen it up in a host of important and practical ways.

“Scots victims of grooming gangs deserve an inquiry into this appalling scandal, just as victims south of the border have been promised.

“It’s only fair that victims are informed if someone is not being prosecuted or a plea deal has been struck between lawyers. They deserve to have their victim statement read out in court and given a say in the parole process.

“The SNP have duped the public by claiming to support Suzanne’s Law, but the Bill doesn’t do what it should. Our proposal would mean if a killer doesn’t disclose a victim’s whereabouts, they stay behind bars.

“I welcome the fact that the nationalists back our calls to scrap the not proven verdict and have heeded our opposition to their juryless trials plan – but it’s essential they go further to give victims faith in our justice system.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.