The STUC together with Karen Gillon MSP are today (Monday 9th October) meeting Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and Scottish Labour MPs to demand changes in the Corporate Homicide Bill that is due to be debated in Parliament on Tuesday (10th October).
Ian Tasker, STUC Assistant Secretary said
“These meetings should not be seen by the Scottish Executive as an indication that the STUC accepts that the proposals by Karen Gillon to amend the common law of culpable homicide were not within the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
“We are still firmly of the view that the former Lord Advocate was wrong in the advice he gave to Ministers regarding Karen’s proposed Private Members Bill and that is why she was left with no option but to withdraw the proposals.
“The STUC will support Karen Gillon if she decides to re-submit the Bill in the new parliament. In the meantime, we will concentrate on amending the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill at Westminster.
“This will to ensure that there is no hiding place for criminally negligent companies and directors who kill their workers and members of the public.
“However, the UK Government has to accept we will not support any legislation that does not deliver a consistent approach to all offences of involuntary culpable homicide.
“As it stands at this point of time the corporate homicide Bill falls far short of what we want to achieve through changes in the common law offence of culpable homicide.”
Ends
For further information contact Ian Tasker 0141 337 8100