Lamont seeks meeting on Cadder ruling implications

Following further concern from organisations across Scotland about the impact of the controversial Cadder ruling, John Lamont MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, is to seek a meeting with the Justice Secretary at the earliest opportunity.

John Lamont MSP said:

"I am seeking an early meeting with the Justice Secretary to discuss how well the new rules on interviewing suspects by the police are working in light of the Cadder ruling.

"In particular, I am sure that many will share my concerns that Scotland's high clear-up rate compared to other parts of the UK was due to the previous system working well to meet the ends of justice.

"Particularly in the case of serious crimes, I note the worries expressed by bodies such as Rape Crisis Scotland, and want to make sure that everything that can be done is done for the sake of victims."

Please see below information from Rape Crisis Scotland and their concern at the impact the Cadder ruling is going to have on convictions.

http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/news/increase-in-rape-convictions-in-scotland/

http://news.scotsman.com/news/Euro-rule-lets-900-accused.6715015.jp?articlepage=1

(selected text from link above): Sandy Brindley, national coordinator of Rape Crisis Scotland, said "We are very worried about the impact the ruling is going to have on sex offences. The police reply on admissions in interview. It is almost becoming an unprosecutable crime. We are hearing lawyers are advising the accused to make no comment. That's having huge consequences for sex offences"

David Sinclair, of Victim Support Scotland, added:

"We realise that the implications of Cadder are such that the prosecutors are probably faced, in a number of cases, with no realistic chance of obtaining a prosecution. However, that's little comfort to the victims, particularly in the most serious cases."

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