A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Tony Lenehan KC, one of Scotland’s leading defence advocates, says violent pornography may be normalising harmful sexual behaviour among young men, with more facing High Court sex-crime cases. He said behaviours including choking and coercive sexual conduct, once rare in such cases, were now widespread. Lenehan supports the Scottish Government’s planned misogyny bill, arguing its publicity could reinforce that such acts are unlawful, although they are already prosecutable. First Minister John Swinney has also announced a public health campaign targeting misogynistic attitudes among boys and young men. Lenehan said education on consent was crucial, stressing that people cannot consent to an assault and warning offenders they could face imprisonment and inclusion on the sex offenders register.

 

BBC News

 

Scotland’s information watchdog has accused ministers of seeking to weaken freedom of information law in a dispute over releasing evidence from the Hamilton inquiry into Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of complaints against Alex Salmond. The Scottish Government argues disclosure could identify complainants and potentially breach a court order protecting their anonymity. However, Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton concluded redacted material could safely be released. His lawyer, Roddy Dunlop KC, says ministers are attempting to relegate the Commissioner to a supervisory role and undermine the statutory scheme. The competing arguments will be considered by the Court of Session on September 22.

 

Herald Scotland

Supporters of assisted dying remain determined to change the law after a recent defeat in the House of Commons. Liz Kendall, former technology secretary, claimed there is "widespread and deep public support" for reform. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was rejected by 286 to 270 votes, but Labour peer Charlie Falconer insisted that this is "not the end of the road" for the campaign. But Rosa Monckton says in the Sunday Telegraph that the rejection of the bill is a victory for her daughter and others who have Down’s Syndrome or other learning disabilities. People with Down's Syndrome are particularly vulnerable to coercion, she explains, having a desire to please as a key trait. Monckton goes on to say that several proponents of the bill, including Kim Leadbeater, voted against an amendment to protect people with Down’s Syndrome from assisted suicide, a move she says was "incomprehensible" to her.

 

The Sunday Telegraph

The Observer

A 94-year-old grandmother who suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by an electric motorbike is backing calls for tougher regulation. Peggy Maxwell spent three months in hospital after the May collision in Lochore, Fife, and has lost much of her independence. Glenrothes MP Richard Baker is seeking restrictions on sales and a potential licensing regime for powerful e-bikes and e-motorbikes. He warns illegal use is increasing as vehicles become cheaper and more widely available.

 

The Daily Record

 

The Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) and the Social Workers Union (SWU) have warned that Glasgow City Council's proposed new pay and grading scheme, due to take effect next April, risks a "serious failure" in care for vulnerable children. George Hannah of SASW said social workers face significant pay cuts despite increasing workloads, vacancies, burnout and staff turnover. While recognising the need to address historic pay inequalities, the organisations warn the changes could damage services. The new terms form part of wider efforts to rationalise pay and job roles following equal pay claims.

 

The Scotsman

Rockstar North employees have told an employment tribunal that the company placed union members on a 'watch list' after a 2023 petition over remote working. Dayne Oram, one of 23 workers challenging dismissals, said the petition was used to monitor staff involved in union activity. Rockstar denies the claims, saying 34 employees were dismissed for gross misconduct after confidential information was shared online. The tribunal in Glasgow is continuing.

 

BBC News

The Guardian

The confiscation hearing for former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been postponed from September to December. Murrell was sentenced in June for embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP over 12 years, using the money to buy luxury goods. His lawyer has said he is able to repay the full amount. Assets subject to a restraint order include more than £613,000 in pension funds, a £124,550 motorhome and a share of property. The hearing will now take place on December 7.

 

STV

Glasgow Evening Times

The Daily Record

Three Ukrainian siblings abducted from Inverness by their father in 2023 must be returned to Scotland, a Maltese court has ruled. Their father took the children, now aged 15, 14 and 11, while their mother was in Ukraine. He subsequently moved them through several countries. His appeal against the ruling has also failed.

 

The Press and Journal

Rangers and Celtic have both agreed to exclude travelling supporters during the 2026/27 season following disorder at March’s Scottish Cup quarter-final. Police Scotland has suggested facial recognition could help identify banned or offending supporters, but civil liberties groups warn of mass surveillance and privacy risks. Legal experts and the Scottish Biometric Commissioner have called for legislation and safeguards before its use. Police representatives also want powers to tackle face coverings, while stressing technology should support rather than replace officers.

 

Herald Scotland

Police Scotland has rejected a hate speech complaint made by Reform MSP Thomas Kerr against human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar. Kerr alleged Anwar broke the law during a July counter-protest speech opposing a far-right rally in Glasgow. Police Hate Crime Advisers reviewed the remarks and concluded no hate crime had occurred, with no further action planned. Anwar criticised Kerr’s complaint as a waste of police time and accused Reform figures of inflaming racism.

 

The Daily Record

Police Scotland has arrested four more men as part of Operation Portaledge, its investigation into Glasgow’s organised crime feud. The men, aged 21 to 31, face charges relating to wilful fire-raising, a disturbance and a vehicle hitting a property. The latest arrests in Bellshill and Motherwell bring the operation’s total to 81, while four stolen vehicles were recovered. Police say significant inquiries continue despite Chief Constable Jo Farrell recently reporting a clear downturn in gang-related violence.

 

The Sunday Times (Scotland)

Residents of affluent Morningside in Edinburgh say repeated break-ins and vehicle thefts have left them increasingly fearful. Consultant Tom Watcyn-Jones, who moved from London seeking a safer life, says his family has been targeted six times in three years, including two car thefts. Other residents report attempted burglaries and masked youths apparently scouting properties. Labour MSP Daniel Johnson blamed failures to tackle youth antisocial behaviour, while Police Scotland said addressing crime and residents’ concerns remained a priority.

 

The Sunday Times (Scotland)

A judge has granted McGill's Buses permission to pursue a judicial review of the Scottish Government's decision to reject its £4.3m bid for the third phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund. The Greenock-based operator, owned by billionaires James and Sandy Easdale, argues the funding decision and scoring process were flawed. Ministers awarded £45m to five other operators, including Ember, Stagecoach, Lothian and First Bus. McGill's had received funding in the first two phases and wants the decision overturned, alongside wider changes to how zero-emission bus subsidies are awarded.

 

STV	Greenock Telegraph