Latest news with #AngelaConstance
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
SNP is accused of betraying families amid calls to deny parole to killers who don't reveal where victims are
The latest bid to introduce 'Suzanne's Law' has been branded as 'yet more SNP spin' amid claims victims are still being failed by ministers. 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.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Hero officers saved prisoner's life after he cut his own throat
Heroic prison officers saved a man's life after he cut his own throat in Barlinnie. Four members of staff rushed to a cell in early 2024, after reports that an inmate had hurt himself. Stewart Anderson, Daniel Broadley, George Dickens and Stephen Fyfe arrived in the room, which was "heavily saturated with blood" after the man injured himself. He also has a kettle of water boiling, which the officers assumed was to either inflict further self-harm or keep them away. Despite the danger, they bravely entered the space and tried to negotiate with the prisoner, who was bleeding heavily. Despite their efforts, the man cut himself a second time, causing the four workers to run closer to him and put pressure on the wounds, while also having to restrain him. READ NEXT: Man tried to smuggle drugs into Barlinnie in snack packet Barlinnie governor wants prison to be part of the community (Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Mark F Gibson) Stewart Anderson (Image: Mark F Gibson) Residential first-line manager Stewart Anderson said: "By the time I got there, he had cut himself on the other side too. "We had to put handcuffs on him because he had slit his throat. "He didn't have a lot of strength but we still had to restrain him. It's something I have never experienced before, having to use handcuffs while also administering life-saving care." To mark the heroic act, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance presented the four employees with Meritorious Conduct Awards. This is the highest honour the prison gives out to staff members who go above and beyond to ensure prisoners' safety. Barlinnie governor, Michael Stoney, said at the short ceremony: "This is the top award, a very rare award, it doesn't happen often. "It should be recognised how weighty it is. It's not one I have encountered before as a governor. "Staff responded without hesitation and regard for their own safety. "The individual was violent and threatening violence. But they knew they had to save this man's life. It was a real and significant attempt to take his own life." Daniel Broadley (Image: Mark F Gibson) George Dickens (Image: Mark F Gibson) Stephen Fyfe (Image: Mark F Gibson) READ NEXT: Should Barlinnie become a listed building? Glasgow responds 'Battle' against drug-smuggling drones wages on at Barlinnie Angela Constance added: "It's a tremendous privilege to be here today and recognise the service of four outstanding individuals. "They put aside their own self-interest. "It does show that the prison service has, on the front line, people who keep others in their care safe. "We should recognise that prison officers are changing lives and they saved one in this instance. "Between the four of them, they have more than 60 years of service." Stewart Anderson, who has worked at the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) for 11 years, recalled: "It's difficult because you have to make a judgment call. "He had a sharp item and a kettle that was boiling. He did want to end his own life. "In that moment, you know that you need to do something and you are just hoping you are making the right call." (Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Mark F Gibson) Stewart Anderson (Image: Mark F Gibson)He continued to say that caring for prisoners is an important part of the job and in the last few years, an increasing number of them needed additional support for their mental health. He explained: "It's a delicate balance, you have to be rigid in your discipline but at the same time, you have to have compassion. "If you aren't open with people, you will get absolutely nowhere. The biggest tool we have is speaking to people and building meaningful relationships as quickly as we can. "My responsibility is the staff, making sure that they know they have support. "It does take a toll on everyone." The 34-year-old also said he's grateful for the support from SPS, including their Employee Assistance Program, which helps workers deal with the trauma they experience on the job.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
Fewer than 1,000 Scottish homes still without power after Storm Floris
By 9.30pm on Wednesday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said there were around 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, that were still without power as a result of the weather. Around 98.6% of customers (71,000) have been reconnected as hundreds of engineers worked into the evening in affected areas for as long as daylight allowed. SSEN said the teams will return to continue to repair the network on Thursday morning. The company added: 'SSEN thanks customers for their understanding and patience while we continue to repair the network and reconnect customers as safely and quickly as possible.' Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance said the storm had a particular impact on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance (Jane Barlow/PA) The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses. Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses. She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. 'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread. 'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible. 'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.' Thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday. Tens of thousands were left without power after winds reached speeds of up to 90mph earlier in the week. An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning. The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network. Network Rail said teams had been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Powys County Times
Fewer than 1,000 Scottish homes still without power after Storm Floris
Fewer than 1,000 homes affected by Storm Floris are still without power after crews spent Wednesday restoring supplies to thousands. By 9.30pm on Wednesday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said there were around 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, that were still without power as a result of the weather. Around 98.6% of customers (71,000) have been reconnected as hundreds of engineers worked into the evening in affected areas for as long as daylight allowed. SSEN said the teams will return to continue to repair the network on Thursday morning. The company added: 'SSEN thanks customers for their understanding and patience while we continue to repair the network and reconnect customers as safely and quickly as possible.' Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance said the storm had a particular impact on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities. The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses. Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses. She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. 'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread. 'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible. 'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.' Thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday. Tens of thousands were left without power after winds reached speeds of up to 90mph earlier in the week. An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning. The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network. Network Rail said teams had been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Climate
- South Wales Guardian
Fewer than 1,000 Scottish homes still without power after Storm Floris
By 9.30pm on Wednesday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said there were around 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, that were still without power as a result of the weather. Around 98.6% of customers (71,000) have been reconnected as hundreds of engineers worked into the evening in affected areas for as long as daylight allowed. SSEN said the teams will return to continue to repair the network on Thursday morning. The company added: 'SSEN thanks customers for their understanding and patience while we continue to repair the network and reconnect customers as safely and quickly as possible.' Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance said the storm had a particular impact on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities. The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses. Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses. She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. 'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread. 'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible. 'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.' Thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday. Tens of thousands were left without power after winds reached speeds of up to 90mph earlier in the week. An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning. The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network. Network Rail said teams had been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.
