Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has faced significant criticism for his refusal to rule out the possibility of individuals accused of attacking women being granted bail or released early from prison. The comments came as the Scottish Parliament reconvened, with opposition parties highlighting recent tragic cases and demanding stronger protections for women.
Recent deaths in Scotland have intensified the debate. Stacy Hunter, 35, was killed by her estranged husband Jim Mair, 43, just weeks after he had been released on bail despite accusations of strangulation. Mair subsequently took his own life. In another case, Samantha Lee, 44, was murdered by her partner Joseph Greer, 40, with a claw hammer in Aberdeen. Greer had been subject to a restraining order preventing him from approaching Lee and was later sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison.
During the First Minister's Questions, leaders from the Scottish Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties pressed Swinney on the issue. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay called for the reinstatement of a statutory presumption against bail for those accused of violent, sexual, or domestic abuse offenses, a measure repealed in 2023. He also urged Swinney not to proceed with automatic early release for individuals convicted of violence against women after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
Findlay cited concerns that proposed changes could negatively impact victims, stating, "His consultation document even admits that this 'could have an impact' for victims of violence against women and girls. This cannot be allowed to happen." He directly asked Swinney if he would "stop violent thugs who attack women from being given bail, and stop them from being freed early?"
Swinney acknowledged the severity of recent events, describing the summer's experiences in Scotland as "appalling" and stating that they "have to be remedied." He pledged "personal leadership" on tackling violence against women and girls and indicated a willingness to meet with Findlay and victims to discuss potential solutions. The First Minister emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach, including "criminal justice aspects" and "principled leadership to communicate to men and boys in our society through every aspect of the work of the State the unacceptability of violence against women and girls."
Scottish Labour acting leader Dame Jackie Baillie highlighted a rise in sexual crimes, rape, and domestic abuse, along with delays in the justice system. She referenced the 2021 murder of Claire Inglis, 28, whose boyfriend was granted bail to her address, and Ms. Hunter's family's calls for GPS tracking of violent offenders on bail. Baillie pressed for a clear timetable for "life-saving changes."
Swinney responded that the cases were cause for concern and acknowledged that pilot work on GPS tracking was underway, expressing a desire for progress. However, he stopped short of committing to specific changes regarding bail and early release for violent offenders. His official spokesperson later stated that a consultation on early release had recently closed and that the "process will have to play out."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton also raised the case of Vikki Soloman, 44, who was killed by her ex-partner after police did not attend a call for help. He characterized these incidents as a "pattern here of women being let down by the system, horrifically let down, and with fatal consequences."
In response to a direct question from Cole-Hamilton about whether the government would act with urgency "before more women die at the hands of men?", Swinney responded, "Yes, we will."