Chamber and committees

This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chide Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

We have decided to clarify the law concerning consecutive sentencing for offenders who commit a further offence having been released from prison prior to their sentence end date following some concerns being expressed that the law in this area is not as clear as it could be. We have made the Lord President aware of our plans.

Our proposed changes to the law in this area will clarify the existing powers of courts in the area of consecutive sentencing. As such, they will not represent a change in sentencing policy and we do not plan to consult formally on these. We have already discussed our plans with a number of justice stakeholders. We will consider carefully views offered as part of the Parliamentary scrutiny of the provisions in due course.

We have decided to clarify the law concerning consecutive sentencing for offenders who commit a further offence having been released from prison prior to their sentence end date following general concerns being expressed by justice stakeholders that the law in this area is not as clear as it could be.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10134 on 10 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10134 on 10 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

On 20 August 2009 I announced my decision to release Mr Al-Megrahi on license from prison on compassionate grounds. In my statement to Parliament on 24 August 2009, I set out the process that I followed in reaching that decision. This included meetings either in person or by video conference with the families of the victims of the bombing and also dialogue with the then UK Labour Government and US and Libyan Governments.

On the day on which the announcement was made, emails were sent informing families of victims about the decision.

No correspondence was issued prior to 20 August 2009. In the days immediately following the announcement, views were received or sought from a range of individuals with an interest in this matter. This correspondence reflected the recognition of the international interest in this decision at that time.

An e-mail was sent to Mr Trump’s office by a special adviser. The content of this email was widely reported in the public domain. The Scottish Government does not hold a record of a response having been received. Emails were also issued to and received from other international figures, including former President Nelson Mandela; Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Mary Robinson. Internationally respected individuals such as Mr Mandela and Archbishop Tutu expressed support for the decision. Copies of the relevant email correspondence held by the Scottish Government are being placed today on the Scottish Government web site:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/legal/lockerbie/FOI.

A wide range of other views and opinions were expressed at the time, both in support of and against the decision. Where they are held sincerely, I respect those views, in particular from the families of those who died.