CHAOS AND PARALYSIS
PRESSURE MOUNTS ON MINISTER AS ANOTHER POLICE CHIEF IS SENT HOME WHILE LORD ADVOCATE IS SLATED FOR CLUTHA PROBE DELAY Critics warn crises are sapping the public’s confidence in justice
Michael Matheson was under escalating pressure yesterday as a police chief was suspended and prosecutors were accused of failing victims.
Critics branded the Justice Secretary ”the invisible man” as Police Scotland was engulfed in another controversy with the suspension of four senior officers, including as assistant chief constable, amid allegations of criminality and gross misconduct.
Meanwhile, criticism of the Crown Office mounted after a Fatal Accident Inquiry was finally announced into the Clutha tragedy on Friday – almost exactly four years since ten people died in the helicopter horror on the Clyde.
Mr Matheson faced calls for action yesterday after the latest in what has been a flood of concern buffeting the justice system since he took charge three years ago.
Police Scotland, where the chief constable remains on leave as a series of probes into alleged bullying continue, and watchdog Scottish Police Authority have been battered by high-profile resignations, call-handling crises, financial shortfalls, and allegations of misconduct, bullying, and infighting among senior executives and officers.
Meanwhile, the Crown Office, led by Lord Advocate James Wolffe, has been accused of taking years to make decisions on high-profile investigations, like those into the M9 tragedy when a couple died three days after police failed to investigate reports their car had crashed off the road. Labour’s justice spokeswoman Claire Baker added: “We’ve seen crisis after crisis within Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), frontline cuts to our fire service and critical report following critical report. Throughout all this Matheson has been missing.
“We’ve went from Kenny McAskill, who couldn’t keep out the papers, to Michael Matheson who seems more like the invisible man.
“The Government cannot hide from the mistakes they’ve made and the failures happening on their watch.”
Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said Mr Matheson had to come “out of the shadows” because the ongoing crises were shaking public confidence.
He said: “The public will rightly demand that, given how much has gone wrong with the single force, it’s time Mr Matheson finally stepped up and started taking responsibility.”
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins and three other officers were suspended by the Scottish Police Authority on Friday amid allegations of criminal conduct and gross misconduct. Mr Higgins said he “denies and rejects” any allegations of wrongdoing.
Three other officers, understood to be two chief inspectors and a superintendent, have been suspended while two others have been placed on restricted duties as part of the same investigation.
Some sources suggested the allegations and suspensions were political and linked to “turf wars and settling scores”.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents two of those suspended, said it believed the action was unwarranted. A spokesman said: “Our members rightly ask what it is that allows some to be granted leave while under investigation but for that same opportunity not to be extended to them.”
The last comment is a reference to Chief Constable Phil Gormley currently being on “special leave” while bullying allegations are investigated.
However, a SPA spokeswoman pointed
out the difference between the two cases is that the claims about Gormley do not include allegations of criminality, whereas the Higgins ones do.
A spokesman for ACC Higgins said he would “fully cooperate with the investigation and intends to resume his duties as soon as this matter has been resolved.”
Mr Matheson will face questioning in Holyrood this week over his handling of Scotland’s police force, which has lurched from crisis to crisis since he succeeded Kenny MacAskill three years ago.
The SNP minister is also facing pressure about the length of time Scotland’s prosecution service is taking in investigating major tragedies and serious crimes.
The Clutha probe will begin next autumn – almost five years on from the tragedy.
But the move sparked fury with some relatives after prosecutors also announced there was insufficient evidence available to justify instructing criminal proceedings.
Mary Kavanagh, whose partner Robert Jenkins was killed in the crash, said she was thankful an FAI would now be held but questioned why survivors had been made to wait so long for the announcement.
The grandmother of seven from Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire, was in the Glasgow bar with 61-year-old Robert on the night of the tragedy, and has spent years suffering trauma and flashbacks.
She said: “I just want to know why it has taken this long.
“We all want to get some idea of what happened that night.
“It’s with you every single day, and it’s hard to deal with.
“It’s hard to comment on the criminal proceedings as I hadn’t thought about who would be prosecuted, it’s not as clear cut as maybe some other cases.
“It’s a difficult time of year obviously, leading up to the anniversary again. It’s really hard.”
Mr Matheson defended Police Scotland and the Crown Office yesterday saying their expert staff secured an effective justice system. He said Police Scotland had a robust executive structure capable of continuing to lead the single force despite the suspension of Mr Higgins, as his deputy, Iain Livingstone, leads the force.
He said: “It’s important to recognise that the operational matters are the responsibility of the deputy chief constable and it’s important that they are given the space to direct and take that forward in a way that they think is appropriate.
“Now is not the time for politicians to start controlling policing.
“Every hour of every day Scotland’s police officers are keeping people safe from harm and saving lives, while supporting those who fall victim to crime.
“It is absolutely right that we allow these agencies, and as appropriate the Crown, to investigate matters where serious allegations have been made about the actions of individuals, and not to comment upon them while they do so.”