Keep Jeremy Kyle-style lie detector tests away from our justice system
Yousaf blasts Tory terror plan
JUSTICE Secretary Humza Yousaf has criticised UK Government plans to give Jeremy Kyle–style lie detector tests to terrorists.
Tory ministers want polygraph tests introduced on a UK-wide basis but Yousaf blasted the move amid serious concerns over their accuracy.
He said: “This policy has rightly been ridiculed.”
Under the UK Government’s Counter Terror and Sentencing Bill, a minimum sentence of 14 years would be handed down for terror offences.
Ministers also want to require convicted terrorists to take a polygraph to show they have reformed.
The measures followed the murder of two people near London Bridge last November by terrorist Usman Khan.
Khan had been out on licence from prison when he fatally stabbed Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt at Fishmongers’ Hall. But justice is devolved to Holy rood and Tor y ministers need MSPs to pass a legislative consent motion to get permission.
Yousaf tweeted: “We don’t use ‘ Jeremy Kyle’ polygraph tests in our justice system in Scotland, never have.
“UK Government Ministers want power to introduce them in Scotland without consent of the Scottish Government and Parliament. This measure won’t keep us safe.”
The Law Society of Scotland said: “These are significant issues for Scotland as we do not currently use polygraphs in any form of criminal law or monitoring of offenders.”
The society also flagged up concerns wit h polygraphs arising from the Jeremy Kyle television show. Producers of the axed show admitted that some guests on the controversial programme failed a test even though they were telling the truth.
The Ministry of Justice said: “We are in discussions with the Scot t i sh Government on the use of polygraph testing.”