Official Report · Chamber
General Question Time
This is the draft Official Report. The final version may differ.
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To ask the Scottish Government what the policy and practice of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is regarding the provision of documentation relating to the death of a relative to members of the deceased’s family where the death occurred in suspicious circumstances. (S7O-00420)
The death of a family member is a traumatic time for bereaved relatives. Prosecutors recognise the importance of timely and effective communications, particularly in relation to deaths in suspicious circumstances. Our published family liaison charter sets out how prosecutors liaise with families. It outlines what information can be shared, the timeframes for communications and the commitments to bereaved families.
Precisely what information, including what documents, can be shared depends on the circumstances of each case. If criminal proceedings remain a possibility, disclosure of information may be limited to protect the integrity of the investigation and potential future court proceedings.
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On her appointment, the Lord Advocate stated that her office was
“an office of significant responsibility”
and that she would
“discharge it with … a clear focus on serving the public interest.”
My constituent Mr Ian Riddel has been refused access to information to help him to understand the circumstances of his 19-year-old brother’s death, because Police Scotland decided that it was not in the public interest to provide that information. Mr Riddel is in the public gallery. Will the Lord Advocate grant him a meeting to discuss why important information is being withheld from the family and explain how it could possibly be in the public interest to withhold it?
As Lord Advocate, I expect the investigations of deaths to be thorough, independent and timely, and for bereaved families to be treated with sensitivity and to be kept informed. It would not be appropriate to discuss details of any ongoing investigations in relation to the specific case that has been raised, but I would be very happy for Max Bannerman to raise his constituent’s concerns directly with me or with my officials.
I note that a point was made in relation to Police Scotland. I cannot speak for Police Scotland, but I am sure that a meeting could be arranged between me and Police Scotland.
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