Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“However, because their grandparents were advised by the local authority to care for them under a section 11 order rather than a section 17(6) order, they are not eligible for the payment, as the minister pointed out. In my view, that is a technicality.”
“The Care Leaver Payment (Scotland) Regulations 2026 state that, to be eligible for the care leaver payment, a young person must have been looked after under section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 on or after their 16th birthday, and they must also have left care or continuing care on or after 1 April 2026.”
“Young people who are subject to an order under section 11 of the 1995 act are not looked after for the purposes of section 17(6) and are therefore not eligible for the payment. Duncan Dunlop: I thank the minister for that clarification. I would like to raise a specific example.”
“More broadly, however, we have to recognise the vital role that kinship carers play in caring for children and young people. That is why, earlier this year, we published “Scotland’s vision for kinship care: our offer of support for families”, following the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026, and int…”
“My personal favourite— The Presiding Officer: This is great, but it is general question time, and we need questions. Kate Campbell: Sorry. It is for the children, Presiding Officer. Being less tired was another good reason.”
“Kate Campbell: Last week, I was at Sanderson’s Wynd primary school to speak to the primary 5s and 6s, who are doing a module on democracy and decision making. I got the notification that I had been selected to ask a general question just as I was heading off to the school.”
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“The discussion paper, our programme of work to prepare for future legislation and the action that we are taking now to improve the system is guided by four principles: equality and human rights; people-centred service design; evidence-based policy; and collaboration and partnership. I will outline some of that current work. In December, we laid draft regulations to strengthen support in the children’s hearings system. Children will no longer need to pass income or merit tests to prove that their case deserves support. The initial authorised expenditure limit for solicitors will rise substantially from £135 to £550, reducing administrative burdens. Importantly, care leavers who are in receipt of our care leavers payment will not have that counted against them when their eligibility for legal aid is assessed.”
“I agree—reform is essential to maintain and strengthen access to justice. We must ensure that legal aid is affordable and ensures value for taxpayers’ money. The committee’s recommendations align closely with our programme of reform, which was set out in the “Legal Aid Reform Discussion Paper” that was published in February. That paper set out proposals for a modernised legal aid framework that is simpler, more flexible and better able to respond to changing needs. That includes exploring a single, streamlined application process and a more sustainable funding model that balances fair remuneration with value for taxpayers. Those reforms will ensure that legal aid remains accessible, efficient and resilient in the decades to come.”
“I welcome the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s report on civil legal aid. It is a report that highlights the strengths of our system and also the need for change. I also thank all the organisations and individuals who contributed to the report. Those insights have been invaluable in shaping the report and they will also inform the Scottish Government’s response and work as we progress legal aid reform. The legal aid system in Scotland remains among the most comprehensive in Europe. It is demand led, and all who are eligible receive support. In the previous financial year, expenditure reached £169 million, which is the highest figure in cash terms since 2016-17. The committee’s report is clear: the system must evolve to meet the needs of a modern justice system.”
“I wrote to the committee in October to set out my intention to lodge amendments at stage 2 to reform that law, and it is the end result of a period of consultation building on the considered work of the SLC and Lorna Richardson of the University of Edinburgh over the past decade or so. The law of retention is unclear, and we have an opportunity here to bring much-needed clarity. As there appears to be some doubt among stakeholders whether the retention provisions will be default, I make it clear that it is my intention that those provisions can be contracted out of. That is an important point, and it addresses a number of concerns that were raised by witnesses.”
“Abolition of that rule has been an SLC recommendation for a long time; indeed, it is a recommendation that has been made a number of times over the past 50 years, and I am pleased to bring forward a provision that will, finally, give effect to it. Part 2 of the bill deals with some of the remedies for breach of contract. However, it is not a complete consolidation of the law on remedies. The SLC consulted on the issue, but it was clear from stakeholder opinion that there was no appetite for such a far-reaching reform of the law. Instead, the bill reforms parts of the law on the steps that one party can take when the other party has breached its contractual obligations. I will move on to the law of retention, which is a remedy that is meant to be used by parties to encourage performance of a contract without having to go to court.”
“It is important to be clear at the outset that the majority of the provisions in the bill are default provisions—in other words, parties can continue to enter into contracts on their own agreed terms and do not have to follow the provisions in the bill if they do not fit with their circumstances. That reflects the principle of party autonomy, which witnesses and the committee recognised as vital. I should also say that the bill is not a complete codification of the law of contract formation; it largely restates the current law while clarifying doubts that have accumulated over the years. The main reform in part 1 is the abolition of the postal acceptance rule. Under that rule, a contract may be concluded without one party ever having received communication to that effect.”
“The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Bill, which implements recommendations made by the Scottish Law Commission in 2018, is concerned with contract law—specifically, the formation of contracts and what happens in certain contexts if the terms of a contract are not met. Contract law is important to our everyday economic life and in all types of transactions. It involves businesses and individuals alike. Many contracts are made and carried through and then become the subject of disputes between parties who have no professional assistance. One of the bill’s principal purposes is to produce legal rules that are clear, certain and accessible, and, like most of the witnesses that the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee heard from, I think that that aim has been achieved.”
“The SFRS chief officer would not make changes to operations that would put the public at an unacceptable level of risk. Those in the SFRS are the experts—we, as politicians, are not—so we should allow them to take decisions on how the service should be best configured. Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus) 8.”
“Miles Briggs: There is overwhelming public and cross-party opposition to that fire station being closed. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has acknowledged that the closure will lead to slower response times—an extra four to six minutes for residents in the north-east of the city. Once that analysis has been reported, will the minister meet a cross-party delegation and local residents to understand the real concern across Edinburgh about the closure of that fire station? The Government should understand that and take on board the public feeling. Siobhian Brown: The emergencies that the SFRS responds to have changed significantly over the years. For example, the number of dwelling fires has reduced by 20 per cent since 2013.”
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service completed a public consultation on its service delivery review, and an analysis of the responses is currently being conducted. It is important to stress that that analysis is independent of both the Scottish Government and the SFRS and that it will inform the final decisions that the SFRS board takes in 2026. The purpose of the review is to better align resources to current risks. The SFRS plans to redeploy resources that are freed up by any changes that it makes to provide greater resource to its prevention and protection function, to boost training provision, to ensure that firefighters remain fully ready and competent to keep communities safe from the changing risks that they need to respond to, and to invest in the fire stations that need investment the most.”
“I want to share with members a quote from Henry Wheeler Shaw, an American humorist, lecturer and author, who is credited with the famous quote: “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself”. That quote aligns very well with the bill’s overarching policy aims, which recognise that it is not the monetary value of a stolen pet that matters most to an owner, nor is it the breed or pedigree of a stolen dog—it is the loss of a member of the family. By passing the bill today, Parliament can help to raise awareness of, and shine a light on, the heartbreak that is caused by the theft of a dog. The Scottish Government will support the bill at stage 3 today. The Presiding Officer: I call Tim Eagle to open on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. 15:26”
“I have commissioned the Scottish Government’s responsible dog ownership expert advisory group to provide the Government with advice as to what types of dogs it considers could be added to the aggravation offence in section 2 of the bill and, importantly, how to define them. The focus will be on working dogs and support dogs. Those who are working on the definition will take into account the views that were expressed during the stage 1 debate and at stage 2, and they will be listening to the stage 3 debate in order to ensure that all points that are raised are carefully considered. We recognise that dogs are sentient beings and that they have an emotional connection with, and impact on, their owners.”
“Should Parliament pass the bill this afternoon, there will, of course, be more work to do during the implementation stage. For example, Maurice Golden’s stage 2 amendments to section 2 allow for regulations made by the Scottish Government to be capable of prescribing a category of dog within the description of “helper dog”. That category is wider than the category of assistance dog—for example, it can include a working dog and a support dog. That improved future flexibility in the bill does not affect the aggravation’s operation in relation to assistance dogs as defined by the Equality Act 2010, which remains unchanged.”
“During the stage 1 debate, we heard from many members who spoke passionately about the positive impacts that dogs can have on our lives and the importance of the role that dogs can play within the family setting by bringing happiness, companionship and a sense of purpose. There are also other mental and physical benefits of having a pet. There is widespread understanding across the Parliament of the impact and emotional turmoil faced by owners who have had their dog stolen and of the very concerning consequences for the health, welfare and wellbeing of dogs that have been stolen. The amendments that the committee agreed to at stage 2 have addressed the concerns that were raised in the committee’s stage 1 report and have improved and strengthened the bill.”
“As a dog owner and a dog lover, I recognise the emotional benefits that dogs bring to our lives. Dogs can lift our mood and provide companionship, and they are treated as members of the family. Therefore, to lose a much-loved dog through theft is horrendous. Dog theft causes distress and can have a profound and devastating impact on victims. Research and study by the University of the West of England in Bristol tell us that the emotional turmoil experienced by dog owners after their pet has been stolen can lead to owners feeling a sense of grief, and, owing to the closeness of the human-animal bond, it can feel like a devastating loss, with owners experiencing anxiety, sadness, sorrow and despair.”
“I thank Maurice Golden for his constructive engagement throughout the bill’s parliamentary journey, and I thank the non-Government bills unit for its work and regular engagement with my officials. No one should ever underestimate the challenges that exist for a member who seeks to take forward their own legislation, and I pay tribute to Mr Golden and his supporting officials for developing legislation that has reached the final stage of its scrutiny process. I thank the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee for its stage 1 report and recommendations and for its further consideration of the bill at stage 2. I must also express my thanks to all the stakeholders who offered their views on the bill’s provisions in evidence sessions and in writing to help to inform policy discussion on the bill.”
“Therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority to be passed at stage 3. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill”
“I confirm that the Scottish Government supports amendment 1, in the name of Maurice Golden, for the reasons that he has given. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Do you have anything to add by way of winding-up remarks, Mr Golden? Maurice Golden: I have nothing further to add. Amendment 1 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That ends consideration of amendments. As members will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required under standing orders to decide whether, in her view, any provision of the bill relates to a protected subject matter—that is, whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise of Scottish parliamentary elections. In the case of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, in the Presiding Officer’s view, no provision relates to a protected subject matter.”
“It is important to note that the Scottish Government cannot compel solicitors to take on a case. As I have already noted, the on-going reforms aim to improve the situation, and solicitor availability will be considered as part of any future changes to the system.”
“People can sometimes end up self-representing, but they have spent so long looking for legal aid that they do not have time to learn how best to advocate for themselves. How can the Scottish Government ensure that my constituents are able to realise their right to access to justice? Siobhian Brown: I thank Ms Chapman for highlighting these complex challenges on behalf of her constituents. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, particularly people from marginalised groups, gets the access to justice that they need. However, the current legislative framework does not guarantee access to legal advice and representation. Solicitors decide whether to undertake legal aid cases and, if they do, which clients or cases to accept.”
“Additionally, the Scottish Government provides funding to citizens advice bureaux across the country and in North East Scotland, and we support the Civil Legal Assistance Office, which operates locally to offer advice and representation on civil legal issues. Maggie Chapman: I know that I am not alone in having increasing numbers of constituents come to me about legal aid issues. Each one says a similar thing: they spend weeks, sometimes months, trying to find a legal aid solicitor, only to be told no, either due to the complexity of their case or sheer lack of capacity. Most are in marginalised groups, and they include single migrant parents, disabled people and a single mum who is a survivor of domestic violence that involved financial abuse and coercion.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the concerns raised by Maggie Chapman, including the importance of ensuring access to justice for people in North East Scotland. The Scottish Government values the legal profession and continues to fully fund legal aid while advancing reforms to improve access and sustainability across Scotland and not just in the north-east. We will soon lay regulations to remove unnecessary financial tests for children’s hearings. We will widen the eligibility for summary criminal cases, incentivise early resolution for solemn criminal cases and ensure fair remuneration for solicitors across Scotland.”
“Police Scotland has also made it clear that anyone riding a non-compliant e-bike or e-scooter on the public road is likely to have it seized by officers. Members are well aware that policing in Scotland is operationally independent. However, I agree with colleagues across the chamber that robust police action is a critical part of the response to the illegal use of or action resulting from e-bikes and e-scooters.”
“Police Scotland’s recent partnership with the Royal hospital for children in Glasgow highlighted a rise in serious injuries associated with e-bikes, and that must be addressed. That is why its recent work to share key messages about this issue, whether in person at the hospital, through press or on social media, is so important, particularly as we approach the festive period. As Monica Lennon highlighted, people should think twice before buying e-scooters or e-bikes for children and should remember that it is illegal to use e-scooters in public spaces in Scotland. Many high-powered vehicles bought online are not legal for use on public roads, so they can be extremely dangerous, especially for our children.”
“I thank Sue Webber for bringing the debate to Parliament and all members for their contributions highlighting the dangerous and antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters in our communities. Sue Webber highlighted recent incidents in Edinburgh and also across the UK. Members have highlighted serious concerns, and the Scottish Government shares those concerns. Several members here have been at various meetings on the work that I and minister Jim Fairlie have been doing on this issue all year. We share members’ concerns about issues including riders travelling well above the speed limit, intimidating conduct, impacts on public confidence and, of course, injuries to people.”
“That package of actions, if it is approved, will be a really good example, and other local authorities could follow suit. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I apologise to those members whom I was unable to call, including the member who lodged question 8, but we have run out of time and I need to protect the rest of the afternoon’s business. That concludes portfolio question time on justice and home affairs. Social Care”
“I know that the member has attended several of our meetings in the past year and is aware of all the work that the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, and I are doing. I highlight a really good example that is going to committee at the City of Edinburgh Council tomorrow, of which the member might be aware. Council officers have proposed a targeted package of actions to address the misuse of quad bikes, dirt bikes and other non-compliant vehicles. That would be run through a cross-agency community interest partnership with Police Scotland, which would deploy mobile closed-circuit television in hotspot areas. We know that the problem exists across Scotland, but the situation in rural areas is very different from that in cities.”
“Local authorities are already strained in trying to provide funding for youth work, and police budgets are stretched. Although I welcome the initiatives and operations that local authorities and the police are conducting, gangs and criminals have unlimited resources, and we need more than the occasional police operation—we need a serious plan that is targeted at this growing threat to public safety on our streets. Will the minister commit to prioritising that? Siobhian Brown: Police Scotland has advised that the current powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 are sufficient to respond to the misuse of off-road vehicles.”
“As I said earlier, our focus is on supporting the police to tackle that issue effectively. Enforcement is a matter for Police Scotland, and local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and work to prevent future incidents. That has informed action, including a campaign to encourage anonymous reporting through Crimestoppers. I was pleased to note that, last week, Police Scotland partnered with the Royal hospital for children and young people to launch an awareness campaign that urges parents and carers to consider the dangers that e-scooters and e-bikes present before purchasing one for a child this Christmas. Sue Webber: I thank the minister for that response and for the letter that I received on Monday. She has used some of the content of that letter to respond to me and to Mr Hoy this afternoon.”
“Siobhian Brown: I am aware of Dumfries and Galloway’s community policing unit, which was out recently leafleting residents about the dangers of e-scooters. We support Police Scotland and its partners in dealing with the misuse of vehicles. Last week, Police Scotland confirmed that anyone who is found riding a non-compliant e-bike or e- scooter on public roads is likely to have it seized by officers. It is important to highlight that, this year, we have increased police funding to £1.64 billion, which is an increase of £90 million, in order to support police capacity and capability. I note that Mr Hoy did not support that budget or vote for it. E-bike Users (Antisocial Behaviour and Criminality) 7.”
“Craig Hoy: In recent weeks, I have knocked on doors in towns including Dumfries, Annan and Lockerbie, and residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the illegal and growing use of e- scooters and souped-up e-bikes on roads and pavements. One elderly constituent in Annan said that she was scared to leave her house in case she was involved in a collision with youths who are often clad in hoodies or balaclavas. Those concerns are shared by Police Scotland and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which I met recently to discuss the problem. Will the minister now ensure that the police in Dumfries and Galloway have the funding, the manpower and the support to tackle this mounting problem before someone is killed?”
“Ministers and officials regularly meet Police Scotland and others to discuss the impact of the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters on local communities and the powers that are available to tackle the crime. That has informed action, including our campaign in the summer to encourage anonymous reporting through Crimestoppers. The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, and I met His Majesty’s chief inspector of constabulary on the issue two weeks ago, and we continue to engage with the United Kingdom Government, which has the powers relating to off-road vehicles, including vehicle licensing.”
“The First Minister reinforced that message at the weekend, at the Scottish Trades Union Congress St Andrew’s day march and rally to stand up against racism, when he committed this Government to tackling prejudice, rooting out racism and leaving no community marginalised, isolated or vulnerable. I am sure that Ms Harper will be pleased to hear that the Scottish Government and the STUC have launched the united workplaces project, which is backed up by £200,000 of Government funding, to support trade unions to promote equality and diversity in the workplace, to challenge discrimination and to build stronger links with communities. I will ask the Minister for Equalities to write to the member regarding conversations with the”
“Emma Harper: Those who are not content with intimidating asylum seekers in temporary accommodation and threatening those who offer their solidarity have now turned their attention to primary schools that are offering ESOL—English for speakers of other languages—classes. Will the minister assure me, the chamber and the communities that are being targeted by those with extreme views, that every step will be taken by Police Scotland and the judicial system to ensure the safety of individuals and guarantee their right to education? What discussions have taken place with the United Kingdom Government about its role in fanning the flames of hatred with its recent rhetoric? Siobhian Brown: There is absolutely no place for prejudice, discrimination or racism in Scotland.”
“No one in a school community—children and young people, school staff, families or other visitors—should experience intimidating or racist behaviour. Early in 2026, we will publish new guidance that supports a whole- school approach to addressing racism and racist incidents, which includes guidance on responding to parents, carers and families who experience racism in a school setting. The right to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression should never be used to justify any form of hateful, violent or otherwise criminal behaviour. We support Police Scotland in taking appropriate action in response to any criminal offences that are being committed at, or around, protests.”
“Given that Police Scotland’s retail crime task force has, in its first six months, supported the detection of more than 500 retail offences, will the minister commit to extending and increasing that funding beyond March 2026 to tackle prolific shoplifters? Siobhian Brown: Discussions are on-going with Police Scotland about its budgetary requirements, and I hope that Ms Dowey will appreciate that I will not be making any budgetary announcements during general question time today. However, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government has confirmed that the Scottish budget will be published on Tuesday 13 January 2026. Gynaecology Waiting Times (NHS Fife) 7.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the harm that is caused by retail crime. Our budget for 2025-26 has made an additional £3 million available to tackle the issue as part of our record investment in policing. Police Scotland has used that funding to establish a retail crime task force, which aims to prevent such incidents and pursue those responsible. Police Scotland’s plan includes specific actions to target repeat offenders by using analytical data and intelligence to carry out proactive enforcement activities in areas that are most heavily impacted. Investment is also being used to develop diversionary programmes that are aimed at reducing reoffending. Sharon Dowey: Retailers Against Crime and other industry partners have made it clear that intelligence sharing is essential in identifying repeat and organised offenders.”
“I believe that implementation will bring big improvements for children in the cases that Ms Maguire referred to— for example, enhancing how their views are heard and ensuring that child welfare reporters who are appointed to hear the child’s views are properly trained in understanding domestic abuse. The regulation of child contact services will help to ensure that centres are safe, conflict-free places for children. We are also progressing wider work to improve how the civil and criminal courts interact, including how the civil courts get information on domestic abuse. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (North East Scotland) 4.”
“I am still receiving casework in which children who have witnessed their father terrorising their mother, physically and emotionally, are being forced by courts to have contact with their father, despite restraining orders and so on being in place. Is the minister confident that, when the legislation is fully enacted, it will address that disaster, or do more actions need to be taken to ensure that the judiciary truly puts children’s wellbeing at the heart of decisions that it makes on contact? Siobhian Brown: Ensuring the child’s best interests is central in any contact case and was the key aim of the 2020 act.”
“Although some sections of the act have already been commenced, some areas of that wide-ranging act are outstanding. However, we remain committed to commencing them. I am providing updates to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on implementation, and did so most recently on 26 September. Two Scottish statutory instruments on the regulation of child contact services were approved by Parliament earlier this month and will be implemented on 1 April 2027. A further set of commencement regulations is planned relating to hearing the child’s views, additional factors for the court to consider and delay in contact and residence cases. Ruth Maguire: Parliament voted for the act with great hopes that it would centre children in child contact cases and address some real difficulties that we had heard about.”
“For clarity with regard to the LCM, the relevant legislation has not yet come into effect in England and Wales. As the member has alluded to, I wrote to the United Kingdom Government earlier this year regarding the process of its implementation, and it recently published a summary evidence response ahead of planned regulations being introduced. That is an important step towards the legislation being put into effect in England and Wales. I reiterate my willingness to work with the member on legislative options, but it will not be in this parliamentary session.”
“The letter highlighted that the Scottish Government had missed an opportunity to introduce a legislative consent memorandum in June 2022 that would have allowed for further safeguards and deterrents to stop rural crime. Since the LCM was missed, rural crime has cost Scottish farmers and rural businesses nearly £5 million, and the letter states that my constituency of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire is a rural crime hotspot. Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency wanted regulations to be introduced last summer, so will the minister, despite her answer, introduce an expedited bill and work with me to tackle rural crime before the end of this session of Parliament? Siobhian Brown: I thank the member for her continued interest in equipment theft and the serious issues affecting rural businesses.”
“Rural crime is a serious issue. It affects individuals, communities and businesses, and the Scottish Government fully supports efforts to tackle it. The Scottish partnership against rural crime—or SPARC—which is chaired by Police Scotland, brings key justice and rural sector partners together to provide a robust, multi-agency approach to preventing rural crime and to support actions taken at the local level. The member will be aware of the legislative programme for the rest of the term, and the short time we have left. There are no plans for rural crime legislation in what remains of this session. Rachael Hamilton: Following a meeting in June, the minister agreed to write to the Home Office.”
“The child’s welfare must be the court’s paramount consideration in contact cases, and the court is required to consider the child’s view, subject to their age and maturity. We plan to commence further provisions in the 2020 act to enhance how the views of children are heard in such cases. We have also set up a working group on child welfare reporters, who can be appointed by the court to get the child’s views. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business. Rosebank Oil and Gas Field”
“Every decision is scrutinised and they cannot protect their child. My constituent’s daughter clearly inherited her mother’s bravery, and it must have been so difficult to share what happened to her at such a young age, which has to result in protection. Following the provisions in the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 to better incorporate the child’s views, what concrete steps is the Government taking to ensure that a child’s expressed fear of a parent or desire not to have contact with them is given due weight and consideration in abuse cases, rather than that being dismissed as coaching or alienation? Siobhian Brown: I am really sorry to hear about Emma Roddick’s constituent’s situation.”
“We are committed to protecting survivors of domestic abuse through legislation and by funding support services. Research has found that our groundbreaking domestic abuse legislation, which treats offences more seriously when they involve children, better reflects victims’ experiences. Our £20 million bairn’s hoose programme, which is to be rolled out in increments from 2027, improves support for children who are affected by abuse by providing trauma-informed spaces and co-ordinated services. Emma Roddick: I supported a constituent in a truly horrific situation in which her daughter came forward to claim that her father abused her. My constituent was mandated to allow contact between the two, despite the child’s protests and symptoms of trauma. In such situations, a victim can feel as if they cannot win.”
“Siobhian Brown: I fully recognise that the proscription of Palestine Action by the UK Government has been criticised by many groups and individuals across society, and that many people across the UK have chosen to show their opposition to that through protest. However, as the member is aware, this is an area of policy that is reserved to the UK Government, as is the decision to which he refers, and I recognise that the issue is now with the courts. The judicial review is due to take place this month at the High Court in London, and we all want to see what the outcome will be.”
“Humza Yousaf: Pensioners, priests and people from all walks of life—many of whom have never been convicted of anything in their lives—have been arrested while peacefully protesting in Scotland. The report of the independent commission on UK counterterrorism law, policy and practice, which was published yesterday, makes it clear that United Kingdom terror laws have been used far too widely in the case of the proscription of the non-violent protest group Palestine Action. Given the findings of the commission, which is led by pre-eminent figures such as Sir Declan Morgan, Dominic Grieve and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, will the minister urge the Home Secretary to immediately overturn that blatant attempt by the UK Government to silence non-violent protest in the face of a genocide—a genocide in which, of course, that Government is complicit?”
“The rights to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression are important rights that the Scottish Government is committed to upholding. The right to peaceful public assembly allows us to protest, celebrate culture and hold memorials, and it is right that our communities should be able to participate in such activities. The right to protest is important in a democratic society. Existing legislation sufficiently protects those rights. However, protests should be peaceful and should never be used to justify any form of hateful, violent, intimidating or otherwise criminal behaviour. We fully support Police Scotland’s taking appropriate and proportionate action in response to such behaviour.”
“Last week saw a marked reduction in trouble on bonfire nights compared with those in previous years, and there were no reports of injuries to emergency crews. Those outcomes reflect the professionalism and dedication of our police officers. However, the chief constable has warned that the force risks losing 1,000 of those officers if there is no increase in its budget support. Will the minister join me in praising emergency services, while recognising that the front line must be properly supported? Siobhian Brown: Absolutely. As I said in my opening statement, I thank the emergency services for all the work that they do on operation moonbeam, which goes on for months before bonfire night. Of course, we will engage with Police Scotland about its budgetary requirements.”