Cole-Hamilton comments on PVG checks for politicians

Speaking to the Daily Record about whether politicians should have to complete Protecting Vulnerable Groups checks, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"I was shocked when the SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Greens rejected my proposals and concluded that vulnerable persons checks should apply to everyone bar themselves.

“In any other job with access to children and vulnerable people you would be expected to undergo a vulnerable persons check. The reaction of most people to such a proposal is simply shock that elected representatives get an opt-out from these basic safeguards.

“It is not good enough for MSPs to rely on self-policing or say that they have voluntarily adopted the good practice of not spending time unaccompanied with children or vulnerable adults."