Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged the SNP Government to be “fully transparent” over what the Crown Office knew about the Post Office Horizon scandal which resulted in the wrongful conviction of sub-postmasters.
Douglas – who has raised the issue in both the Scottish Parliament and the House of Commons over the last week – says that those innocently convicted in Scotland will want the Crown Office to fully explain when they were made aware of issues with Horizon, as well as what correspondence they had with successive SNP justice secretaries in relation to the “appalling miscarriages of justice.”
Douglas says he welcomes the action outlined by the UK Government to exonerate those who were wrongly found guilty and to speed up the delivery of compensation to them.
He has urged SNP ministers to work with their UK counterparts to ensure that process is delivered swiftly in Scotland, where the Crown Office were responsible for prosecutions and not the Post Office.
Douglas added that he welcomes the Lord Advocate’s willingness to come to the Scottish Parliament to outline the role of the Crown Office, but that she cannot try and “dodge” answering the questions tireless campaigners deserve to hear the truth about.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “The Post Office Horizon scandal is arguably the most appalling miscarriage of justice the country has ever seen.
“I pay tribute to Alan Bates and the other tireless sub-postmasters who have never given up on their fight for justice.
“The plans announced by the Prime Minister were extremely welcome and I hope the emergency legislation being brought forward will finally right the wrongs of the past and deliver compensation as quickly as possible to all those who had their lives ruined.
“With the Crown Office leading prosecutions in Scotland, the situation is slightly different which is why I challenged Humza Yousaf at First Minister’s Questions on the matter. It appears they were aware of issues with Horizon over a decade ago.
“The SNP need to ensure that the Crown Office are fully transparent with victims and give them the answers they deserve to hear.
“I’d also encourage SNP minsters to work closely with their UK counterparts to ensure these new laws will be passed as quickly as possible in all parts of the United Kingdom, as so many people know someone in their local community who deserves their name to be cleared.”