MALCOLM CHISHOLM TO VOTE IN FAVOUR OF MacASKILL’S DECISION

MALCOLM CHISHOLM TO VOTE IN FAVOUR OF MacASKILL’S DECISION

Commenting on Malcolm Chisholm’s announcement in the Scottish Parliament this morning (Wednesday) that he will be voting in support of Kenny MacAskill’s decision to grant al-Megrahi compassionate release SNP MSP Michael Matheson said:

“This is a welcome announcement from Malcolm and highlights how the politicisation of the Justice Secretary’s decision has been wrong all along.

“With Scotland’s churches, civic society, senior former and current politicians and many Scots around the country agreeing with this decision and the values embodied in it, it is clear that support for Mr MacAskill is growing as Scots and others around the world understand the decision and the reasons for it.

“Kenny MacAskill has answered his critics and demonstrated to Parliament that at all times he followed the correct procedures in reaching what is the correct decision. All the opportunistic allegations being made by the opposition leadership have been answered by the release of all the papers.

“This should not be a matter for partisan politics. Therefore, it is welcome and appropriate that Malcolm Chisholm will not let himself be governed by a whipped vote. And given the mess the Opposition parties have got themselves into, a non-whipped vote would be in accordance with the quasi-judicial nature of this judgement .”