A third verdict that nobody is clear on what it means or its purpose is one that people don't trust

Minister says change is 'long overdue'

- BY SALLY HIND

SCRAPPING Scotland's controversial not proven verdict would be "in the interests of justice", Scotland's crime minister has declared.

MSPs will vote next week on a Bill to axe the verdict - which gives juries a third option instead of guilty or not guilty.

Campaigners claim it is confusing and gives juries a "getout", letting the guilty go free.

The father of Amanda Duffy is among those denied justice by the verdict who have demanded rapid action to ditch it. The man accused of killing Amanda walked free on a not proven verdict in 1992.

Now Justice Secretary Angela Constance has told the Daily Record the "long overdue" abolition of the three-verdict system - the only one of its type in the world-would be a "quick" process.

She says if MSPs pass the Justice Reform Bill next week, ditching not proven will be her first priority.

In an exclusive interview, Constance said there was clear evidence that the verdict had remained in Scotland for too long.

She said it allowed juries to "compromise" on justice under a system that people "do not trust" or understand.

Constance said: "I would very much envisage the first part of the Act to be implemented would be the abolition of not proven and the associated jury reforms.

"It's fair to say there has been a very live debate in Scotland for quite a few decades and I know the Daily Record has championed the calls from many victims and families for the abolition of not proven.

"I know that work from the Record goes back to the 1990s. From my perspective, I think it's a change that is long overdue.