Current Petitions

Petition PE578 is from Mr Donald MacKinnon and calls for the extension of the right of absolute privilege to young and vulnerable people. Again, we sought the views of the Scottish Executive, which are set out in the papers before you.It is suggested that the Executive's response appears to be reasonable. Extending absolute privilege to statements made about an individual could risk non-compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, as it would deny the individual the opportunity to seek just restitution if his or her reputation were damaged by malicious accusation. On that basis, we may wish to agree to take no further action on the petition. Alternatively, we may agree that there is merit in giving further consideration to the issue, and that it should therefore be formally referred to the justice committees' successor in the new parliamentary session. Additional material that we have not seen has come in from the petitioner, who is not happy with the Scottish Executive's response. It refers to his circumstances and the particulars of a case that involved his own son. Is this an issue for the justice committee in the new parliamentary session, or is the Executive response adequate?

Shall we pass it to the successor committee? There seems to be an element of doubt about the matter.

Okay, we will pass the responses of the petitioner and the Executive to the successor committee on justice.