Minutes: 17 April 2024

1. Declaration of interests:

Audrey Nicoll declared an interest that she was formerly a police officer. Russell Findlay declared an interest that he knows the witness, Bill Johnstone, having co-authored a book about Mr Johnstone’s case when he was a journalist. And that he also knows the witness Magdalene Robertson, whom he has spoken to in the past about her case.

2. Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Stephanie Bonner;

and then from—

Bill Johnstone;

and then from—

Magdalene Robertson.

3. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme and the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act ('the Act'). The Committee agreed not to include consideration of the Act in its work programme at this time.