QC: Redaction claims baseless
SCOTLAND’S top law officer has hit back in a furious row over what evidence can be published by the Alex Salmond Inquiry.
James Wolffe, the Lord Advocate, said claims he had intervened to prevent certain items from being shared by the Holyrood committee were “baseless” and “without foundation”.
Appearing in a virtual session of the Inquiry yesterday, the QC said it was the decision of the Scottish Parliamentary authorities to last week redact portions of evidence submitted by Salmond – and he insisted the Crown was following the law when it comes to protecting the anonymity of complainers in trials involving allegations of sexual assault.
Wolffe said: “The court order specifically restricts the publication of information – it does not prevent the committee from considering that information.”
THE devastated wife of a 45-year-old Scot who died of Covid-19 has described him as “one of life’s genuine good guys”. Heartbroken Heather Stewart lost her childhood sweetheart Stephen on February 19 after 32 years together. The Motherwell dad also leaves behind 16-year-old daughter Emma.
The family were struck down with coronavirus after Stephen tested positive on January 19.
He was rushed to hospital on
January 24. Although the youngest in the intensive care unit at University Hospital Wishaw, concrete technician Stephen was the sickest and he died after he caught pneumonia.
Heather told the Record: “Stephen followed every rule and didn’t leave the house