Victims being sold short by bill

There aren't too many set-piece opportunities for MSPs to come together and deliver truly transformational policies for the people of Scotland.

- BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP PAM GOSAL

Letting people down Pam Gosal MSP says the bill voted through is way short of what's needed for the victims of crime

But last week, when we all gathered to debate and vote on a key piece of justice legislation, that chance was squandered thanks to SNP and Green party intransigence.

For more than two years we have been amending, discussing and critiquing the Victims, Witness and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

And yet, when it was voted through by a nationalist majority, it was noted not for what it had achieved, but what it had not.

It is a bill for victims and justice reform in name only.

Yes, there were some positive elements which will now become law, including my successful amendment to enhance the protection of domestic abuse survivors through non harassment orders.

And the decision to scrap the not proven verdict, a policy the Scottish Conservatives have long advocated for, was also a step in the right direction.