Scott calls for Scottish route to justice for victims of phone tapping scandal (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Scott calls for Scottish route to justice for victims of phone tapping scandal

July 12, 2009 12:32 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has called on the First Minister to explore a Scottish route to justice for those people in Scotland who have become victims of phone tapping by newspaper journalists.

Reports suggest that thousands of people could have fallen victim to the actions of journalists using phone tapping to gather information.

Mr Scott has written to the First Minister asking him to confirm whether the Lord Advocate has been involved in considering prosecutions, whether Scottish police forces have powers to act on crimes that may have taken place in Scotland and whether victims can find a route to justice through the Scottish justice system.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"I want the First Minister to clarify whether or not there is a Scottish route to justice for victims of the recent newspaper phone tapping scandal.

"Many of the people who have been placed under surveillance by these journalists will be Scots, or will have been spending time in Scotland.

"Although the law on the interception of phone calls lies with Westminster, so far the response to this situation form the Metropolitan Police has been feeble, lacklustre and incomplete. This is unacceptable.

"The First Minister must explain whether or not he has sought advice from the Lord Advocate in relation to help and support for Scots affected by this situation.

"Across Britain people are increasingly concerned about the 'surveillance society' taking shape under this Labour Government. It is simply shocking that a leading newspaper has been running their own spy operation as well.

"The Conservative party cannot be trusted on this issue. They have been utterly compromised. The decision of David Cameron to recruit the newspaper editor who oversaw this scandal shows a colossal lack of judgement.

"The Scottish Government must now make a statement on what help is available in Scotland to those affected by this serious breach of their civil liberties."

Ends.