Minutes: 08 January 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private.

2. Policing vulnerable people:

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Inga Heyman, Associate Professor, Edinburgh Napier University;

Chief Superintendent Matt Paden and Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, Police Scotland ;

Dr Robby Steel, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, NHS Scotland;

David Hamilton, Mental Health Manager, The State Hospital;

and then from—

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and Alastair Cook, Principal Medical Advisor, Mental Health Division, Scottish Government.

Fulton MacGregor declared an interest as a registered social worker with the Scottish Social Services Council.

3. Policing vulnerable people (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.