Scottish Labour leader demands FAI into death of Paisley father Craig McClelland
Richard Leonard said families have not received justice over the loss of their loved ones
Last updated 16th Jan 2020
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has claimed families have lost confidence in the justice system following a lack of scrutiny over the deaths of loved ones.
Speaking during First Minister's Questions, Mr Leonard highlighted the cases of Alan Marshall and Craig McClelland.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into Mr Marshall's death in custody in 2015 found it was “entirely preventable'.
His family have since announced plans to bring a legal challenge against officials over the tragedy.
Craig McClelland was murdered in Paisley in 2017, after his killer had illegally removed his tag and defied a home detention curfew five months before.
Mr McClelland’s family have called for a public inquiry into how James Wright had evaded capture and been able to kill the father-of-three.
Labour leader Leonard said the findings of two “process reviews'' following Mr McClelland's death “only strengthened the case for an independent inquiry''.
The studies found issues in the sharing of information between Police Scotland and the prison service.
However, an FAI was rejected by the Lord Advocate, who decides on such matters.
The Government also declined to hold a public inquiry into Mr McClelland’s murder.
Mr Leonard said both families were let down and have still not had justice for the loss of their loved one.
He said: “They have lost their faith in the system and if they have no confidence in your justice system, why should anybody else?'
“First Minister, it is your duty to ensure that the public has confidence in the justice system."
Nicola Sturgeon said she understood why both families feel aggrieved by the justice system, adding that “lessons should be learned'' from both cases.
She said: “It is our responsibility, something we take very seriously and discharge, to make sure that we have a sound and solid justice system.
“In general terms, the Government will always seek to respond carefully, sensitively and appropriately when situations like this arise so we are learning the right lessons and where necessary, making the right changes.''
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