Greene welcomes passing of Victims Bill

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Greene has today welcomed the Scottish Parliament passing the Victims, Witnesses and Justice (Reform) Scotland Bill, which enshrines Suzanne’s and Michelle’s Laws in Scots law.

Thanks to amendments brought forward by Jamie Greene, the Bill will introduce Suzanne’s Law and Michelle’s Law. These will require the parole board to:

• Take into account the offender’s failure to disclose the location of their victim’s remains, making it virtually impossible for the Parole Board to recommend release in these instances (commonly known as Suzanne’s Law).
• Take into account the impact a decision to release a prisoner would have on the safety and security of a family member. This includes considering applying an exclusion zone to a prisoner’s release conditions if the board believes a victim or their family member’s safety, security or wellbeing will be adversely affected by the prisoner’s release, the parole board must now also give reasons for decisions around parole (commonly known as Michelle’s Law).

The bodies of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser were never found, and their killers have never disclosed the locations of their remains.

The sisters of Suzanne and Arlene said of Jamie Greene’s amendment introducing Suzanne’s law that they, “want it publicly known we wholly support it”. They said that “it gives us a great sense of peace to think that this could help keep the two men found guilty of their murder behind bars.”

The proposals made into law today also reflect similar legal changes made in England and Wales, known as Helen’s Law, which has already led to the blocking of offenders from parole.

His proposals also commanded the full confidence and backing of Victim Support Scotland and many prominent victims right’s campaigners.

As a result of further amendments brought forward by Jamie Greene, the Bill will:

• Expand the right to make an impact statement to all victims, in all solemn proceedings- something currently only allowed in limited cases.
• Guarantee all victims of crime the right to be informed of decisions not to prosecute or to discontinue prosecution in their case (which was a government defeat).
• Require the Victim’s Commissioner to introduce a Victim’s Charter, which will set out a victim’s journey and rights throughout the entirety of the criminal justice system.

Jamie Greene said:

“I am extremely humbled and privileged to see this Bill passed in parliament today, which had the backing of five political parties.

“Among the sweeping reforms to Scotland’s justice system, including the scrapping of the archaic not proven verdict, we have ensured that Suzanne’s law and Michelle’s law are enshrined in Scots law. Both command the support of those to whom it matters the most, and all of these featured in my original Victims Bill.

“When I first consulted on my victim’s law several years ago, I was determined to right the many wrongs that victims and their families suffer from in the criminal justice system.

“I was committed to making sure that their voices were heard in a system that should be working with them and for them, not against them.

“I made a promise to them that I would fight to change the law in their favour, and I have have met that promise in this parliament today. I deeply humbled to be able to do so and make a difference to peoples' lives.”