Bid to keep silent killers behind bars
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has demanded killers stay locked-up if they refuse to reveal the whereabouts of victims’ remains.
He is pledging to introduce Suzanne’s Law – named after Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley – who was murdered in 2010.
David Gilroy is serving at least 18 years for killing his ex-girlfriend.
But he refuses to disclose the location of her body.
He is thought to have buried Suzanne in Argyll.
Ross will announce the measure tomorrow during his keynote speech at the party’s spring conference.
He said: “To lose a loved one to murder would be unimaginable but over recent years in Scotland we have seen a growing number of cases in which the remains of victims have not been recovered.
“It is testament to our police and prosecutors that convictions have been secured without a body.
“However, something must be done about the gross injustice of victims’ families being left in a state of endless limbo.
“That is why we are including Suzanne’s Law in our manifesto.
“Killers should be given a simple choice - fully disclose what they have done with remains or stay locked up until they do.”
Other female murder victims in Scotland whose bodies have not been recovered include Margaret Fleming, Alison McGarrigle, Lynda Spence and Arlene Fraser.
In 2019, the Scottish Government said it planned to enact Suzanne’s Law but parole reforms this year did not include the measure.