Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

Current Petitions

Sir William Wallace (PE781)

Wednesday 16 March 2005 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 4 contributions · 3 speakers

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The record

4 contributions
Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Our last current petition is PE781, calling on the Scottish Parliament to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Sir William Wallace's death on 23 August 2005; to mark the day as an annual event in the Scottish calendar thereafter; to acknowledge on the public record that William Wallace was not guilty of the charge of treason; and to make representations to the UK Parliament for a declaration of his innocence and that he be exonerated of that charge.At its meeting of 10 November 2004, the committee agreed to seek the comments of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. The committee also agreed to seek a legal perspective from the Crown Office and an academic perspective from Professor Cowan of the department of history at the University of Glasgow, as well as to write to the clan Wallace. The responses that have been received have been circulated to the committee. Do members have any views on the petition?

John Scott Con Ayr
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I welcome the planned celebrations for the 700th anniversary of William Wallace's death. However, we should note that the Crown Office's response is that it does not have the jurisdiction to deal with the matter. It makes sense to suggest that the petitioners pursue the matter with Scottish MPs, inviting them to bring it up at Westminster if they feel that that is appropriate. It is outwith the gift of Scotland to pursue the matter any further.

Sandra White SNP Glasgow
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The Crown Office has done its best, and I also thank the clan Wallace for writing to the committee. We have discussed the petition and have done all that we can, although I would have liked an immediate apology. I support John Scott's suggestion that the petitioners be encouraged to write to all the Scottish MPs, asking that William Wallace gets an apology because he did not commit treason. I also invite everybody to join in the celebrations and to take part in the walk from Lanark or Stirling down to Westminster. I am going down there on 23 August to commemorate William Wallace's death, and others should feel free to do so.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Are members agreed that we should follow John Scott's suggestion and close the petition?Members indicated agreement.

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