Not proven verdict has denied justice for victims for too long

'Cop-out' trial option left families 'emotionally scarred'

- SALLY HIND

A VICTIMS’ charity has backed calls by the Justice Secretary to finally scrap the not proven verdict, saying it leaves “deep emotional scars" for families.

Parliaments set to pass a Bill within days which could end the controversial three-verdict system, which has been under fierce debate for decades.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance declared in yesterday's Record that the abolition of the verdict was “long overdue’ and ending it would be a first priority when the Justice Reform Bill is passed.

Now the head of Victim Support Scotland has called on MSPs to ensure the legislation is passed following final debates on Tuesday. Chief executive Kate Wallace said: “The not proven verdict is a relic of Scottish criminal law that has confused juries and denied justice to victims for far too long. For victims and survivors of crime, a not proven verdict feels like a denial of their experience.