Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has welcomed the decision of the Scottish Government to reverse its proposal to replace trial by jury and on restricting Freedom of Information requests.
The changes of heart took place today as the Scottish Parliament debated the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill which grants exceptional powers to the Scottish Government in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The proposal to abolish trial by jury is unnecessary, extinguishing a centuries-old fundamental liberty, while the Scottish Government’s proposals on Freedom of Information enquiries also went too far.
“I am relieved that, facing opposition from across the Scottish Parliament, the Government has accepted that these measures need to be reconsidered, albeit that they will review its position again this later in the month.
“The Scottish Conservatives have looked to work with the Scottish Government during what is a national emergency. But it is important that we continue to scrutinise their proposals and to offer better alternatives where appropriate”.
