Sunday 1 January 2017

An open, accountable and accessible system

1. From The Scotsman on this date in 2008:

Iain McKie, father of former detective Shirley McKie, from Ayr, warns the forensic foundation of our entire legal system is under threat.

For well over a century police, lawyers, judges and juries have accepted forensic evidence without question. But now as "light is being let in on the magic", fingerprinting, DNA, footwear, firearm and the other such evidence is being challenged and found wanting.

The Omagh bombing, the World's End Murders, the Templeton Woods murder and the SCRO fingerprint case have all shown that previously infallible evidence is indeed fallible and finally the prosecution system is being forced to review its whole forensic strategy.

While this is bad enough, Lockerbie and other cases have also revealed evidence of police and Crown Office incompetence, political intrigue and a court and legal system struggling to cope.

A system where justice takes forever and at a prohibitive cost. Slowly the realisation is dawning that we are faced with a justice system no longer fit for purpose. A system where there is very real danger of the innocent being found guilty and the guilty escaping punishment. Instead of the usual face saving "first aid" aimed at preserving the power and privilege of those within the system, the time is long overdue for broad ranging public and political debate aimed at creating an open, accountable and accessible system.

2. From The Guardian on this date in 2010:

Britain's special relationship with the United States is "stronger than ever" under Barack Obama, the American ambassador to London said today. (...)

Asked about US anger over the decision to allow Megrahi to return to Libya because of his terminal cancer, [Louis] Susman said: "The special relationship is very strong. It is like a strong marriage. Every once in a while you have a little spat.

"This was a spat. This was a case where friends can disagree."

He laughed off calls from some US figures for a boycott of Scottish products, saying he still drank Scotch whisky, visited Scottish golf courses and wore Scottish sweaters.

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