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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 25 November 2024
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Displaying 2941 contributions

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Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

I want to ask you about the proposals for a duty of candour for Police Scotland. A duty of candour for officers and staff relates to their being truthful, candid and co-operative in proceedings. Do you think that the proposal is sufficient for you to have confidence that police officers will co-operate with investigations, including those carried out against or in relation to other officers?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Another provision in the bill is for a code of ethics. Do you feel that such a provision, which would place a legal obligation on Police Scotland to create a specific code of ethics, would give you more confidence in the behaviour of officers? Should there be specific sanctions for a breach of the code of ethics?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Thanks for that. Russell Findlay has a question.

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

With regard to misconduct procedures in the context of former police officers, do you agree that it should be possible for misconduct procedures to commence and continue against former police officers for allegations that, if they were proved, would amount to gross misconduct? Should the procedures relate only to gross misconduct?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Thanks for that. You think that it should not be time limited, is that right?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Thank you for joining us this morning, Maggie. It has been really valuable to hear from you, and we are grateful for your time.

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Stephanie, thank you very much for such comprehensive opening remarks, which set the scene for us very helpfully and openly.

I will ask you about how important it has been to have a representative support you through your journey. I am perhaps slightly straying away from the provisions of the bill, but that was a very important aspect of your journey. Can you outline a little more how important it was to have that support there by your side?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Thank you. That came through loud and clear in your opening remarks.

Before I bring in other members, I will touch on the delays and the timescales that you have experienced since your son was discovered. How difficult have those timescales been for you? When we are looking at the bill, what should we consider about how that aspect of a police inquiry or review can be improved?

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

Thank you, Stephanie.

I will bring in other members to ask questions, starting with Fulton MacGregor.

Criminal Justice Committee

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 17 April 2024

Audrey Nicoll

I will pick up from the point that John Swinney has just covered and ask you a wee bit about what Police Scotland needs to think about changing in relation to the way that it responds, particularly to incidents in which someone dies in unexplained circumstances, as was the case with your son, tragically. What does Police Scotland need to think about regarding how they can improve the way that they respond?