Latest news with #LiamKerr
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Scotland's prosecutors using offender's chosen gender to record crimes
Prosecutors have been accused of 'protecting the egos of offenders' by recording their self-declared gender in official figures. Hate crime data produced by the Crown Office reflects a mix of gender based on physical appearance as recorded by police officers, and self-ID. The Crown Office insists that 'information regarding the sex or gender of accused persons is not essential to prosecute crime' – and that it will respect the 'pronouns of an accused person'. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, rather than chosen gender. Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This confirms how entrenched the SNP 's gender self-ID obsession is in Scotland's justice system and will undoubtedly lead to further confusion in how crimes are recorded. 'The Crown should have the scope to focus on what really matters, rather than being forced to waste time protecting the egos of offenders.' A Crown Office report on hate crime says 'sex can be considered to refer to whether someone is male or female based on their physiology and genetic make-up', while 'gender' represents a 'social construct or sense of self that takes a wider range of forms'. The Crown said 'in this report we refer to ''sex'' rather than ''gender'' because this better reflects recording practices in relation to this information'. But the report also says: 'In reality, it is likely that recording includes a mixture of physiological and personal identity. 'The sex of a small number of accused is not recorded, where the police have not provided this information to COPFS [Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service].' The report adds: 'Sex, as referred to in this bulletin, is generally identified by a police officer based on their assessment of whether a person presents as male or female – in most cases, this is based on the physiology of a person rather than self-identified gender. 'It is recorded for operational purposes, such as requirements for searching. It is also included in the information reported to COPFS. 'However, in most cases, information regarding the sex or gender of accused persons is not essential to prosecute crime. 'It would only be essential where it is material to the proof of the crime.' The Crown said it 'will respect and use the chosen name and pronouns of an accused person in all communications with them'. Last night Dr Kath Murray, of gender-critical think-tank Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: 'The corruption of criminal justice data on sex has come about through a blinkered reliance on activists in pursuit of gender self-identification.'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Data shows prison officer assaults are a daily occurrence
Figures have revealed that one prison officer almost every day was assaulted by an inmate while on duty in Scotland's increasingly violent jails. Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows 350 officers were attacked during 2024/25 – the highest number in five years – with critics claiming violence behind bars is spiralling out of control. Data supplied under Freedom of Information shows 1,543 officers were victims of assault between 2020/21 and 2024/25. There were 313 assaults in 2023/24, 261 in 2022/23, with 294 and 325 incidents in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively. According to the Prison Officers' Association, jails are the 'most hostile and violent workplace of anywhere or any other occupation in the world'. They warn overcrowding, drug abuse, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside Scotland's crisis-hit prison system are placing overworked staff under intolerable pressure. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said the 'damning' figures laid bare the 'brutal reality facing prison officers'. He said: 'Violence has spiralled out of control as the Nationalists have relentlessly slashed budgets, leaving hardworking staff at the mercy of dangerous inmates. 'Resources should be clearly targeted so that prison officers get the extra support they desperately need or else ministers run the risk of experienced staff quitting the SPS. 'Instead of continually betraying those working in our justice system, the SNP must start prioritising their safety.' Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said the 'appalling figures' show violence is on the rise in Scotland's prisons and staff are being put in danger. She said: 'Under the SNP, Scotland's prisons are dangerously overcrowded and it is causing chaos. 'It's imperative that the Scottish Government has a plan in place to give prison officers the resources they need to keep staff safe in a job that carries such risks. 'If we can learn anything from other jurisdictions such as England and Wales we should and with some urgency. 'The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and work with the Scottish Prison Service to keep staff and prisons safe.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP insisted 'no one should go to work expecting to be assaulted'. He said: 'Huge numbers of people, many of whom have complex problems, are being sent to a place proven to worsen their likelihood of reoffending. 'In turn, overworked prison staff are finding themselves with less time to work with individuals to help improve their prospects and are increasingly encountering unsafe situations. 'Prisons can be a pressure cooker but the government must ensure that high safety standards are maintained across the entire prison sector. 'It's time for the Justice Secretary to recognise that a step change is necessary. It's crucial we strike a balance between punishing, rehabilitating and supporting — that is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said attacks on prisoners and prison staff are 'completely unacceptable' and all incidents were reported to Police Scotland. They added: 'To continue to provide a safe and secure prison estate, we have increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5million in 2025/26.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence. 'We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.' Photo by Donald Tong on Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
£29m funding boon if Aberdeenshire rail stations reopen
A petition launched by North East MSP Liam Kerr last year has received more than 1700 signatures from supportive local residents. The appeal has been backed by football team Cove Rangers, as well as the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER), which has long urged the Scottish Government to expand rail services to Aberdeenshire. Kerr said: 'These figures send a strong message to the Scottish Government that reopening both Cove and Newtonhill stations is a no-brainer. 'The huge benefit-cost ratio, as well as the low operational costs, underlines the significant economic opportunities that these stations would unlock, not only for Cove and Newtonhill, but the wider North East region.' The North East of Scotland has long suffered from poor rail connections ever since the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s, when thousands of miles of train lines were axed. Campaigners have claimed that Fraserburgh (12,900) and Peterhead (19,800) are the two largest towns in the UK without a direct rail link. Kerr called on the Scottish Governemn to invest in the project, noting: 'Cove and Newtonhill need new stations to connect residents with the jobs, education and leisure opportunities that will make these communities an even greater place to live and work. 'We know the money is there from the Scottish Government because they opened a new Hairmyres train station last month, but far too often North East rail is being abandoned for other parts of the country. 'However, I'm delighted this report is another major step in the journey to finally reopening Cove and Newtonhill railway stations.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Disability attacks increase despite hate crime being down overall
The statistics are the first to includes crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year. Overall, there were 6,019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before. But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1,069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010. Recorded hate crime against disabled people has risen consistently since the start of the last decade. Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3,357 such charges being recorded over the last year. The figure, accounting for 55% of hate crimes, represents a decrease of 2.2% compared to the year before. Read More Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1,699 – the lowest number of charges since 2020. Religious hate crime charges also decreased by 5.1% to 505, the lowest annual number since 2004. Hate crime charges against transgender people were down by one to 86. There were 88 charges related to age and 13 related to variations in sex characteristics, both of which are new aggravators included in the Hate Crime Act. There were 27 charges of stirring up hatred relating to race and another 65 for stirring up hatred against 'other protected characteristics' – both new charges under the Act. The Lord Advocate, Scotland's top law officer, urged the public to be vigilant over hate crime. Dorothy Bain KC said hate-fuelled crime continued to be a blight on Scotland's communities and urged the public to report any incidents to the police. She said: 'There is no room for complacency in our response to – and recognition of – hate crime. 'Last year, prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) received reports with more than 6,000 charges fuelled by hatred and targeted at people who are simply being themselves. 'Today's publication highlights the shameful prejudice which persists and – in relation to those affected by disability – has been exposed in increasing numbers. 'Those of us who wish to live in a tolerant society find this abhorrent. Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and the wider community. 'COPFS will play its part in helping to make Scotland a safer place by prosecuting robustly those who victimise others through their own ignorance or bigotry.' Scottish Conservative Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: 'These figures reveal Humza Yousaf's Hate Crime Act for what it is – a completely unnecessary law that's a drain on police resources. 'We repeatedly warned that this bad law was unworkable and would lead to the police having to deal with a slew of spurious complaints. 'The relatively small number of charges being brought appears to bear this out. 'Instead of asking the police to continually enforce flawed legislation, SNP ministers should prioritise funding our police force so they can properly keep our communities safe.'
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Ambulance call-outs to deal with prison overdoses soar amid 'drugs epidemic'
The number of ambulance call-outs made to prisons after reported overdoses and 'poisonings' has almost doubled in the past year, fuelling fears of a 'drug epidemic' behind bars. New Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) figures show that 109 calls were made in 2023-24, a sharp increase on the 62 calls in 2022-23 – a rise of 76 per cent. Prison bosses insisted they are working with police to 'prevent illicit substances entering our establishments, to protect people from the harm they cause'. The figures came as a group which receives taxpayers' money claimed free needles and vapes should be handed out to prisoners so they can take Class A drugs in a safer way. Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This shocking rise in ambulance call-outs for overdoses and poisonings in prisons confirms what staff have been warning about for years. 'The drugs epidemic inside Scotland's jails is escalating, putting inmates' lives at risk, creating a toxic atmosphere for those trying to get clean and putting prison officers in danger. 'It's also adding to the strain on our already overstretched emergency workers - at a time when Scotland's ambulance service is unable to meet demand, these additional, avoidable pressures are making things worse.' Among the prisons with the highest number of ambulance call-outs for 'overdose/poisoning' since 2019 were HMP Shotts (65) in Lanarkshire and HMP Addiewell in West Lothian (47). A further 45 calls were made to HMP Glenochil [in Tullibody, Clacks], 42 at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, 38 at HMP Grampian, 23 at HMP Perth. Meanwhile, the Scottish Drugs Forum - which received almost £2million from the public purse last year - has suggested the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should provide drug paraphernalia so inmates can inject narcotics in prison. That is despite guards battling a drug crisis as more than a third of inmates have admitted taking illegal substances in prison, with more than a quarter saying their drug use only started - or increased - while in custody. The Forum's plan came after Health Secretary Neil Gray last week said a heroin shooting gallery in Glasgow may be extended to allow addicts to inhale crack cocaine. Commenting further on the ambulance call-outs last night, Tory MSP Mr Kerr said: 'Nationalist ministers, detached from reality in their Holyrood bubble, have allowed this situation to spiral out of control. 'There are solutions to this problem if the Scottish Government would only put in the time, effort and resource to examine and implement them.' An SPS spokesman said: 'The health and wellbeing of those in our care is a key priority. 'We work with NHS partners, who are responsible for healthcare in our establishments, to ensure emergency calls to the SAS are only made when necessary and appropriate. 'Our staff work hard, alongside partners, including Police Scotland, to prevent illicit substances entering our establishments, to protect people from the harm they cause.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The SPS are managing a high and complex prison population and work closely with Police Scotland and other justice partners to prevent the availability and supply of illicit substances. 'This includes SPS piloting the introduction of grilles on windows in HMP Perth, HMP Edinburgh, and HMP Glenochil to prevent items being passed from drone to an individual in a cell. 'If successful, this pilot will be expanded where appropriate. 'The NHS, which is responsible for healthcare in prisons, works closely with the SPS to ensure emergency calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service are only made when necessary and appropriate. 'We are also increasing investment in our vital prison service by increasing the SPS resource budget by 10 per cent to £481.5million in 2025/26, which helps promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people who live in Scotland's prison system.'
