Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown has revealed that existing legislation to crackdown on underage and irresponsible drinking is being ignored.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that last year only five under-18s were fined for buying alcohol or drinking in a bar. Figures also show that only two people have been fined for supplying alcohol to a drunken person on licensed premises since 2002.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“These figures show us that laws to tackle irresponsible and illegal drinking are not being used.

“So intent is the Scottish Government on pursuing its ludicrous plan to raise the legal age for buying alcohol to 21, that it has forgotten about the legislation that already exists.

“There have, undoubtedly, over the last six years been more than two cases where bar staff have continued to serve somebody who is drunk. The Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 is clear that supplying alcoholic liquor to a drunken person on licensed premises is an offence.

“Similarly, buying and consuming alcohol as an under-18 is also an offence. I find it hard to believe that only five people were fined for flouting this law.

“If Ministers are serious about changing Scotland’s drinking culture, then they should be focusing on implementing the law as it stands.”