NOT PROVEN TO BE SCRAPPED TODAY

Backing for justice reform from Greens

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON & CHRIS MCCALL

SCOTLAND'S controversial not proven verdict will be scrapped today after the SNP government secured support from the opposition at Holyrood.

The backing of Green MSPs will ensure a Bill protecting victims becomes law.

Jurors are currently able to find an accused either guilty or not guilty, or that the case against them is not proven.

The so-called third verdict has been blasted by family members of victims and abolishing it is the centrepiece of the SNP government Bill.

The Bill also sets out other reforms such as requiring at least two-thirds of jurors to support a conviction before someone can be found guilty.

Other elements include creating an independent Victims Commissioner and establishing a specialist sexual offences court.