A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

John Swinney has warned that Scotland's proposed assisted dying legislation remains unsafe despite 175 amendments agreed by MSPs. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, introduced by Liam McArthur, would allow people with six months or less to live to request a self-administered lethal drug, subject to approval by two doctors. Swinney said the legislation still contains "significant vulnerabilities" and lacks adequate protections for those expected to implement it. Legal concerns have also emerged after the removal of a clause allowing healthcare workers to opt out on conscience grounds, with the issue potentially requiring separate legislation at Westminster. Several medical organisations have since shifted from neutral positions to opposing the bill ahead of a closely contested parliamentary vote.

 

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Jenny Lindsay warns in the Scotsman warns that legalising assisted dying in Scotland could have profound and unintended social consequence She argues that once medically assisted death becomes legal, vulnerable people may feel pressure — including self-imposed pressure — to end their lives to avoid being a burden. Drawing on concerns raised by medical and religious organisations, Lindsay also highlights fears about safeguards and the potential for eligibility to widen over time, as seen in Canada. While acknowledging the suffering faced by some terminally ill patients, she contends that society should prioritise care and support rather than introducing assisted dying. Elsewhere, writing in the Herald, SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll argues she will oppose the bill, citing concerns about coercion, risks to vulnerable people and gaps in the legislation. She says Scotland should instead prioritise improving palliative care and support for disabled people rather than legalising assisted dying.

 

The Scotsman

Nearly 70% of Scots believe the Scottish Parliament should enhance access to care for disabled individuals before considering assisted dying legislation, according to a poll by Whitestone Insight for Not Dead Yet UK. The survey revealed that 69% of respondents support prioritising care improvements, with agreement rising to 72% among disabled participants. Mike Smith, spokesperson for Not Dead Yet UK, stated: "It's clear from this polling that a significant majority of Scots agree that disabled people's lives will be threatened if this legislation is passed."

 

The Herald

 

Scotland is considering introducing "opt-out" group proceedings, which would automatically include individuals harmed in a court action unless they choose to opt out. This proposal, under review by the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC), could position Scotland as the "class action capital" of the UK. Supporters argue it enhances access to justice, particularly for vulnerable individuals. However, concerns exist regarding increased litigation risks for businesses and the potential for speculative claims. Fiona MacGregor, counsel at Dentons, highlighted the need for balance in protecting both consumers and businesses.

 

The Scotsman

John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, announced that an independent Scotland would prohibit foreign militaries involved in illegal conflicts. Speaking at the SNP conference, he announced: "With independence, we will ban any foreign military power engaged in illegal conflicts from our shores." He condemned the actions of the US and Israel in Iran, asserting they lack international legal justification. Swinney made the case for diplomacy and peace, stating that Scotland would enshrine a ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military presence in its constitution.

 

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Peeblesshire News

Police Scotland has announced changes to sick pay for officers on long-term leave due to budget constraints. Chief Constable Jo Farrell requested £104.9m to maintain current policing levels, but the Scottish Government allocated only £90.3m. As a result, at least eight officers have been informed that their sick pay will not be extended. Nicky Page, acting director of human resources, stated: "This represents a challenging position that will have operational consequences." Concerns have been raised about the impact on officers' mental health, particularly those injured on duty.

 

STV

Herald Scotland

The Press and Journal

Cowdenbeath councillor Alex Campell has urged improvements to Police Scotland's 101 call handling system. During a meeting of the People and Communities Scrutiny Committee, he highlighted that long wait times lead to people abandoning calls. He recounted an incident where a community council chairperson waited 45 minutes to report antisocial behaviour before giving up. Campell stated: "If you cannot get through, what chance have I got of getting through?" Chief Superintendent John Anderson acknowledged ongoing efforts to enhance the system.

 

The Herald

Police Scotland has seized over £900,000 worth of illegal drugs and safeguarded 38 vulnerable individuals, including nine children, during a crackdown on county lines operations. The enforcement, which occurred from January to March, resulted in 43 arrests and the execution of 58 search warrants. Officers recovered various drugs, including cocaine and heroin, along with £33,000 in cash and 12 weapons. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston stated: "Organised criminals don't care about the people they harm." The operation aimed to disrupt drug supply and protect communities from exploitation.

 

Glasgow Evening Times

The Daily Record

Fife has seen a 45% increase in registered sex offenders over the past five years, with 725 currently residing in the area. Dougie Dunlop, Independent Chair of Fife's Public Protection Committees, noted that Fife has 12.1 offenders per 10,000 people, higher than the Scottish average of 10.3. He highlighted the challenges in accommodating offenders post-release, which has led to community unrest in some cases. Councillor Alex Campbell raised concerns about housing decisions, recalling an incident where an offender was placed near young children.

 

The Herald

An investigation by the Glasgow Times has revealed that several vape shops in Glasgow's city centre are unregistered, raising safety concerns. Following a devastating fire at a vape shop on Union Street, which led to the closure of Central Station, calls for stricter regulations have intensified. John Swinney acknowledged public worries about vape shop safety. Currently, there are over 1,200 registered vape retailers in Glasgow, but many shops remain unlisted. A Glasgow City Council spokesman clarified: "There is currently no licensing scheme in place that sets standards or allows scrutiny of those who wish to sell vapes."

 

Glasgow Evening Times

The Scottish Green Party plans to hold social media platforms accountable under Scots law. Co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer announced that their 2026 manifesto will propose classifying platforms like X and Facebook as publishers for defamation purposes. This change would require these companies to take responsibility for harmful content. Mackay stated that digital platforms should face the same legal standards as traditional media. Greer added: "We are keen to advance the case that these platforms should be treated as publishers for the purposes of defamation law."

 

The Herald

Children as young as five are reportedly creating pornographic content on TikTok to earn money for video games like Roblox and Fortnite, according to a document from the UK Online CSEA Covert Intelligence Team (OCCIT). The report reveals that paedophiles are using TikTok's virtual gift system to pay children for explicit acts. Baroness Kidron expressed her alarm, saying: "Everything in that TikTok report is illegal and should not be happening." TikTok has disputed some findings and plans to meet with authorities.

 

The Sunday Telegraph

Douglas McConnell, a partner at Duncan & McConnell, argues that relationship breakdowns in Scotland are increasingly becoming criminal matters as allegations of domestic abuse are reported during separations. He suggests the first person to report an incident often becomes the "primary complainer", shaping how police and prosecutors treat the case. While recognising the importance of strong domestic abuse laws, including coercive control legislation, McConnell warns that emotional behaviour during breakups can sometimes be criminalised without full context. He calls for police and prosecutors to examine competing accounts carefully rather than relying heavily on the timing of the first report.

 

The Scotsman

Companies House has revealed a significant security flaw that exposed 5m business owners to identity theft. A bug allowed users to alter directors' personal details by simply entering a company number and pressing the back button. Tax expert Dan Neidle highlighted the potential for criminals to exploit this vulnerability, stating: "The information security specialists on our team fear a sophisticated bad actor would have used the exploit very carefully." Companies House has suspended updates to its database while investigating the breach, which raises concerns about its ability to prevent such incidents in the future.

 

The Observer

Plans for a drug consumption room in Edinburgh face renewed scrutiny following a fatality outside Glasgow's Safe Drugs Consumption Facility (SDCF). John McLellan, a former councillor, highlighted that the death could undermine claims that such facilities save lives. In 2024, Scotland recorded 1,017 drug misuse deaths, a decline from previous years but still alarming. Concerns arise over the effectiveness of consumption rooms, with no clear evidence of reduced fatalities. Jo Mowat, a Conservative councillor, emphasised the need for a thorough evaluation before proceeding with Edinburgh's plans.

 

Herald Scotland

An open letter to Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, signed by 22 former educators in the Scottish Borders, highlights rising indiscipline and pupil violence in schools. The letter states the situation is "beyond critical" and urges immediate changes to alleviate stress among staff and prevent injuries. Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Miles Briggs noted that teachers feel unsupported due to the SNP's approach to discipline. The letter cites over 5,000 violent incidents requiring medical treatment in the past five years, with many teachers fearing for their safety. "Too many good teachers are being thrown under the bus," it concludes.

 

The Scotsman

Finlay Carson, Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, urges the Scottish Government to mandate depopulation-impact assessments before any rural school or nursery closures. He cites evidence from the Scottish Government's own research, stating that losing essential services can trigger a "domino effect" leading to rural decline. Six nurseries in Dumfries and Galloway are under consideration for closure. Carson warned: "Families leave, potential new families refuse to move in, and communities lose the critical mass they need to survive." The council has paused plans for closures pending further consultation.

 

Herald Scotland

Experts warn that the UK Government's decision to cut funding for the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOICU) will severely undermine efforts to combat modern slavery. Starting in April, this funding withdrawal could hinder investigations into complex cases, including those linked to high-profile figures. Sarah Champion, Labour MP and modern slavery campaigner, said: "I hope we are not going back to the dark days of prioritising one horrific crime over another." The Home Office insists it remains committed to safeguarding victims and prosecuting offenders despite the funding cuts.

 

The Observer

Scotland's finance and investment sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased interest from investors and lenders. The Scottish Government plans to issue £1.5bn in bonds for infrastructure projects by 2026-2027. The Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) has committed over £991m to various projects, attracting an additional £1.4bn in private capital. Despite challenges in productivity growth, the market shows potential for expansion. Pamela McHarg, Legal Director at Addleshaw Goddard, noted the exciting developments in the sector and the firm's commitment to growth in Scotland.

 

The Scotsman

The SNP has unanimously passed a motion urging the UK Government to prepare for Scotland's potential independence. Proposed by councillor Norman MacLeod and seconded by Alex Orr, the motion emphasises the need for prudent planning. Orr stated: "A responsible government prepares for change," highlighting the importance of readiness for constitutional shifts. Delegate Gareth Morgan argued the motion lacked depth, suggesting more comprehensive planning is necessary. Former Green MP Caroline Lucas echoed these sentiments, warning of potential chaos if the UK fails to engage in constitutional discussions.

 

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