PAIGE CASE ‘ HEAVILY INFLUENCED’ LAW BID

AN MSP has made the case for reforms to post - mo r t e m s t o m a ke Scotland’s justice system fairer and more dignified for the families of murder victims – in honour of Clydebank schoolgirl Paige Doherty.

Gil Paterson, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, gave evidence at the Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament yesterday morning for his Members’ Bill – Post- mortem Examinations ( Defence Time Limit) ( Scotland) Bill.

The Bill was introduced in May this year, and is now at stage one of three, after which it becomes law.

It was heavily influenced by the delays the family of murdered teenager Paige Doherty faced in the return of her body, which seriously affected funeral arrangements and caused undue distress.

Paige was 15 when she was stabbed more than 140 times at a deli in Whitecrook in March 2016.

Mr Paterson believes that by creating a 14- day time limit that can be extended by a judge for defence post- mortem examinations, this will reduce delays in the release of bodies.

The MSP says the new legislation will reduce the distress experienced by families of the deceased and will give them more certainty about the process and when funeral arrangements can be made.

Paige’s mum, Pamela Munro, previously said: “If we had her back sooner, we could’ve had an open coffin and got to say goodbye properly, so it would have meant the world.

“I think anything that helps victims’ families is great because it takes some of the stress away of wondering [ when the body will be returned].”

Mr Paterson said: “It is vital we reform the system of post- mortem examinations in murder and culpable homicide cases, as families like those of Paige Doherty have had to endure a nightmare following her murder and a lengthy defence post- mortem process. “Should my proposed legislation pass through Parliament, it will help make Scotland’s justice system fairer and more dignified, especially in tragic cases like Paige’s. “After a lot of time and work, we are a step closer to making this Bill a reality, of which I am convinced will make things clearer for grieving families and also safeguard the rights of the accused to a fair trial.”