Data protection and SCCRC disclosure

At the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee’s 7 February hearing on Part 2 of the Criminal Cases(Punishment and Review)(Scotland) Bill, concerns were expressed by some committee members and a number of witnesses regarding data protection issues that might be involved in releasing the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission’s Statement of Reasons in the Megrahi case.  The stance of the Justice for Megrahi campaign group was that a Statutory Instrument made under section 194K(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 as amended (rather than primary legislation) would override common law and statutory obligations of secrecy, including data protection concerns.  Justice for Megrahi has now submitted to the Justice Committee a short written submission outlining its reasoning.  It can be read here.