SNP is accused of betraying families amid calls to deny parole to killers who don't reveal where victims are
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has demanded a tougher approach which would block killers from being eligible for parole if they have failed to disclose the location of their victim's remains.
It follows Justice Secretary Angela Constance's commitment to approve an amendment which states that the Parole Board 'must' take into account the issue when reaching decisions about releasing killers.
The move, which is on course to be introduced before next year's Holyrood elections, is a strengthening of the current position which only states that the Parole Board may consider the issue when making decisions.
But families of victims have demanded that ministers go further and introduce a 'no body no parole' rule which has already been adopted by some states in Australia, which blocks release of a killer if they do not co-operate on the location of remains.
Mr Findlay said: 'After peddling a supposed Suzanne's Law for six years, this is yet more SNP spin which betrays victims and their families.
'For the parole board to 'take into account' a killer's non-disclosure amounts to very little.
'In all likelihood this would be subject to legal challenge if it was ever used to keep a killer behind bars. The Government know this fine well and they need to think again. If they don't, we will.
'Families whose loved ones have been killed and their bodies not recovered deserve so much better than headline-chasing SNP spin.'
The families of two murder victims whose bodies have never been disclosed have welcomed the amendment set to be passed during stage 3 of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill after being introduced by MSP Jamie Greene at stage 2.
But they are also pushing for a tougher approach during an upcoming review of parole rules.
Arlene Fraser's husband Nat Fraser has twice been convicted of her murder following her 1998 disappearance in Elgin and her family spoke of the 'mental torture' they are having to endure because no trace of her has ever been found.
The family of Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered in 2010 by her work colleague David Gilroy, who was given a life sentence for murder, also condemned his lack of remorse or rehabilitation as he continues to say what he did with her body.
Under current legislation, Fraser will be eligible to be considered for parole in October 2028 and Gilroy in March 2030.
Other victims whose remains have never been discovered include Alison McGarrigle, who was killed in 1997 by Charles O'Neill and William Lauchlan, who dumped her body at sea, financial adviser Lynda Spence, who was tortured and killed in 2011 by Colin Coats and Philip Wade, Margaret Fleming, who was last seen in 1999 and was killed by Edward Cairney and Avril Jones, and Patricia Henry, who was killed in 2017 by George Metcalff.
Mr Findlay highlighted that the victims are all women and said their families are 'taunted' by killers who cruelly refuse to say where they are. He is now demanding a 'real Suzanne's Law' and is committed to pushing for changes in parliament.
Gail Fairgrieve, Suzanne Pilley's sister, said: 'We would like to see the law changed initially so that when they come to trial they are well aware that if they never disclose where the remains of the body is then there is no chance of parole. That is where the law needs to stand, we need to move towards that.
'It's no body no parole, so they are instantly told at sentencing that that's the situation they are in and it's their choice at that point.
'Australia have went down those lines so there is no reason Scotland cannot do the same.'
Ms Constance met with the families of Ms Pilley and Mrs Fraser on Wednesday and said afterwards that she was grateful for the opportunity.
'My deepest sympathies remain with them,' said the Justice Secretary.
'I remain firmly committed to the amendment, supported by Victim Support Scotland, that would mean the Parole Board must consider whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victim's remains, but has not disclosed it.'
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The Herald Scotland
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The Independent
42 minutes ago
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