Part of First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 26 September 2024.
Douglas Ross
Conservative
In December last year, the Wilson family complained to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner about the handling of the police investigation. If we consider the issue of police complaints more widely across the country, we should remember that the current system was set up by the Scottish National Party Government when it centralised Scotland’s police forces back in 2013. The Wilson family’s experience clearly shows that the current system is not fit for purpose.
The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill, which is currently before Parliament, aims to address those failings, but there are still areas where the system falls short. Just yesterday, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland called for an Amendment to the bill that would allow officers to face criminal charges if they abused their positions. I agree with that proposal. I confirm that Scottish Conservatives have lodged an amendment that would add such a provision to the bill, which the Criminal Justice Committee will consider next week. Will the First Minister back the inspectorate’s calls and support the Scottish Conservatives’ amendment, to ensure that any police officers who abuse their positions are held to account?
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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