Nats accused of humiliating U-turn on 'no jury' rape trial

Constance concedes defeat on controversy bill

- David Walker

JOHN SWINNEY's SNP Government has been accused of a “humiliating U-turn” after finally axing plans for juryless rape trials.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance admitted defeat in attempts to persuade MSPs to vote for legislation which would have seen some accused stand trial in front of a judge and no jury.

It has taken two “lost years” for the Scottish Government to delete the policy from its wide-ranging justice reforms after they were widely condemned by lawyers, as well as opposition parties.

A strike was threatened by the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association if they were roped into the pilot project.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay put forward an amendment at Holyrood yesterday finally securing the end of this policy, after Ms Constance indicated back in November that she would not be seeking to continue with it.