Greer stands by ‘top candidate’ who backed prison abolition

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer has stood by one of his candidates who described herself as a prison abolitionist, saying she is one of their “top candidates”.

However, Mr Greer also said all Green MSPs would be elected on the basis of their manifesto, saying the party acknowledged that a “small number” of violent offenders must be imprisoned.

Kate Nevens, the Green candidate for the Edinburgh and Lothians East list seat, has faced criticism from those in other parties over her views on prisons.

Arguing that it fails to rehabilitate offenders, she describes herself as a prison “abolitionist” who wanted to “see the complete abolition” of the prison system.

The charity worker is also ranked second on the Greens regional list for the Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list.

The Scottish Conservatives condemned her views and said the Greens should disown her as a candidate.

During a visit in Renfrew on Thursday, Mr Greer told Press Association: “The Scottish Greens’ position is about making our communities as safe as possible.

“Sadly, there will always be a small number of violent individuals who have committed such horrendous offences that they clearly need to be kept in prison.

“We can also acknowledge that the prison system is not working for huge numbers of particularly non-violent offenders, they come out of prison more likely to commit another crime.”

Pressed on whether Ms Nevens, if she became an MSP, would be whipped to vote with the party line, he said: “Every Green MSP that we elect will be elected on the basis of our manifesto.

“That manifesto is focused on reducing crime and making communities safer through more use of these community sentences for non-violent offenders in particular.

“Clearly, there will be a need to imprison those who have committed such horrendous, such violent offences, that they are a risk to the rest of the community.”

He continued: “Kate Nevens is one of the top candidates that we’re running in this election.

“She brings a wealth of experience from conflict zones around the world, where she’s worked with women in particular to help them rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities.

“That’s the kind of experience we should want in the Scottish Parliament.”