Don't be a soft touch on crime, Swinney told

JOHN Swinney has been urged not to be a soft touch on crime and ensure a flagship SNP bill truly delivers for victims when it is voted on this week.

- By Ross Thomson

The Tories justice spokesman Liam Kerr has now written to the First Minister ahead of the vote tomorrow where MSPs will be asked to back the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

The Conservatives have already secured positive concessions from SNP ministers as the bill has progressed through Holyrood.

However, in his letter to the First Minister, Mr Kerr has outlined the many “shortcomings” that still exist.

He says Swinney and SNP MSPs should back several Tory amendments that would permanently strengthen the rights of victims in Scotland.

Mr Kerr said: “The Scottish Conservatives have already secured important and positive concessions to improve the SNP’s flagship victims’ bill.