Highland MSP wants answers over 'malicious' prosecution of Rangers administrators
Today in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Labour demanded to know what the full cost of the Crown Office’s malicious prosecution of the Rangers administrators, Mr Clark and Mr Whitehouse, would be, and where the money will come from.
Speaking in the chamber, Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Rhoda Grant said: “The costs to compensate for this mess come out of the public purse.
“We do not yet know the full cost, both in terms of compensation but also costs accrued for the legal process in dealing with this failure, and in correcting the processes that have been found wanting."
The Highlands and Islands member at Holyrood continued: "We have yet to discover the extent of the role of, and compensation being sought from, Police Scotland which again falls to the public purse. Which budgets are these funds coming from and what will have to be cut to pay for it?
“Let us be clear - services will need to be cut to provide this compensation.
"I cannot be alone in thinking the level of compensation, based on earnings, is obscene and calls into question the values of our society.
“It is also sickening that front-line workers, saving lives daily and those being paid the minimum wage in the gig economy will have to fund it. Sadly, even a modest pay rise for them is grudged, even during a global pandemic. This, if anything, shines a light on what is wrong with our society and what we need to put right.”
Speaking after the debate, Rhoda Grant added: “We must ensure that our justice system is fit for purpose and the only way to do that is to have a public inquiry, led by someone whose independence and legitimacy cannot be questioned."
