McConnell gets tough on bail

Monday, 26 September 2005 12:00 AM

Courts would be forced to explain why a suspect has been granted or refused bail, Scotland's first minister said today.

Jack McConnell said the Labour party had promised to act on people's concern about the number of people committing crimes while out on bail.

And he used his speech to the annual conference in Brighton today to announce new measures to make the bail and remand system tougher and more transparent.

These included introducing legislation setting out the factors that counted against granting bail, increasing the conditions attached to bail and quadrupling the maximum sentence for people who breach bail conditions.

"Comprehensive action to get consistency in bail decisions, restore confidence in the system, protect our communities and re-build respect for the law," Mr McConnell said.

The first minister insisted the measures being pushed through the Scottish parliament were not just about finding "Scottish solutions to Scottish problems", but were about "finding Scottish success through Scottish ambitions".

Devolution had "set right a wrong", he said, allowing Scots to determine their own affairs, and this involved "systematically challenging the things that have held us back".

Banning smoking in public places was a strong step towards improving public health, while efforts to tackle sectarian prejudice, violence, unemployment and the 'brain drain' out of Scotland were all beginning to have an effect.

"Some people thought that devolution would see us retreat into our own affairs, become more provincial, less outward-looking. But they were wrong," Mr McConnell said.

"Scotland with its own parliament, but an integral part of the UK. Delivering things that matter at home, and open and looking out to the world. That's my vision as first minister."

For a list of Opinion Former fringe events at the Labour conferenceclick here.

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