The SNP has called on Lord Wallace to clarify if the UK Government will accept Lord McCluskey’s recommendations on the future of the Supreme Court and its role in Scotland.
Lord McCluskey’s report states that the proposed changes in the Scotland Bill are flawed and calls for cases in Scotland to only be referred to the Supreme Court with the recommendation of the High Court.
Speaking on the BBC yesterday Lord Wallace failed to accept the recommendations and the SNP are now calling on him to clarify the UK Government’s position.
Following First Minister’s Questions SNP MSP and former lawyer Annabelle Ewing also called on all parties to look seriously at the recommendations and drop their partisan positions. Ms Ewing said:
“Lord McCluskey’s recommendations are clear that the role of the Supreme Court in Scots Law should be clarified and curtailed.
“Scots Law is currently at a disadvantage compared to other parts of the UK and introducing certification from Scottish courts before a case can go to the Supreme Court is a sensible and logical idea.
“In fact Lord McCluskey’s proposals would simply put Scottish cases and Scots Law on the same footing as the rest of the UK. What objection can the UK Government have to that?
“And when it comes to Lord Wallace’s proposed changes through the Scotland Bill when one of Scotland’s senior judges describes them as creating a “seriously flawed” system it is essential Lord Wallace acts on these criticisms.
“The tone taken by the Lib Dems in Holyrood on this issue has been deeply disappointing and I would urge all parties to look seriously at these recommendations, drop their partisan positions and join the SNP in securing the independence and high standards of Scots Law rather than blindly accept another piece of bad legislation from London that will create another legal mess in Scotland.
“It is no surprise when the UK Government says no to the SNP, but they should listen and accept the views of one of Scotland’s most respected judges.”