The First Minister:

I will give clarity once again, not just to Douglas Ross but to Mary’s family and to all the other sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses across Scotland. Last week, the UK Government announced that it was looking to introduce legislation in the UK Parliament in order for there to be mass exonerations for wrongful convictions.

I have written to the Prime Minister to say that we would welcome that process. Not only that, but I said, as the First Minister, that we would be willing to work with the UK Government so that the legislation has a UK-wide effect. That could be done through an LCM. I say to Douglas Ross that, if it is not possible, for whatever reason, for the UK Government to bring forward an LCM, we are already working on contingencies around separate Scottish legislation if that is required. I hope that it is not—if an LCM is a possibility, that would be the easiest and quickest route.

As the First Minister of Scotland, I will decide what legislative route is used in this Parliament to exonerate those who were wrongfully convicted. I say once again, regarding the harrowing testimony that Douglas Ross gave in relation to what Mary had to suffer—I have no doubt that her family still feel the consequences—that that happened on the UK Government’s watch, because of a Post Office that is wholly reserved to the UK Government.

Time after time after time, UK Government ministers from UK-based parties did not believe sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, such as Mary and others, who were being harassed by the Post Office. They have waited far too long for justice, so I give them absolute confirmation and assurance that we will work with the UK Government, and whomever else we need to work with, to ensure that they do not have to wait a single day longer—