This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Duty To Learn Lessons From Chhokar - Wallace
28/11/2000
Justice Minister Jim Wallace has pledged that the Executive will redouble its scrutiny of the criminal justice system to make sure that racism is tackled effectively wherever it occurs.
Following the conclusion of the trial for the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar, Mr Wallace expressed his sympathy for the family of the victim. He welcomed the Crown Office's announcement of both a review of family liaison issues and the unprecedented step of setting up an independent judicial investigation into the handling of the case by the Crown.
Mr Wallace said:
"This has been a tragic and distressing case, and my thoughts are with the Chhokar family. Nothing can bring back their son. We have a duty now to look ahead and see what lessons can be learnt.
"It is clear that there have been flaws in the liaison with the Chhokar family, and that improvements can be made, not just in this instance, but for wider dealings with families, witnesses and victims. The Lord Advocate and I have already announced measures to provide a better service to victims and witnesses from all sections of our communities. We will now be looking to see whether further changes are required.
"The Lord Advocate has announced that there will be an independent judicial inquiry into the decision making by the Crown in the course of these prosecutions. This in itself is unprecedented. The judicial inquiry will be carried out as swiftly as possible, and its findings will be fully available to the public.
"The Lord Advocate has also offered to meet the family in person to discuss the Crown's handling of the case. If, in addition, to that the family would like to meet with Scottish Executive Ministers we would be more than happy to do so.
"We are also inviting Dr Raj Jandoo, Deputy Chair of the Stephen Lawrence Steering Group, to investigate the handling by the Crown and police of the family and other witnesses. He will build upon an internal review already being carried out by the Crown by taking evidence from the Chhokar family and their representatives, along with the police, Commission for Racial Equality, Victim Support and others. His findings and recommendations will also be published.
"In addition, I will be inviting the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Steering Group to oversee any recommendations that Dr Jandoo makes in his report.
"We will reconsider the need for further inquiries should the findings of either independent investigation indicate they are required.
"The Executive is committed to eliminating racism in Scotland. Since the publication of our action plan for the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry last year, we have been working with our partners in the police, Crown Office, Commission for Racial Equality and other interested bodies to implement its recommendations across Scotland.
"The Scottish Police Service and Crown Office have made great progress in these areas, and my Steering Group, which contains representatives of these organisations and independent members, has overseen and advised on the work they have done. The police and the Steering Group worked closely together on the ACPOS Racial Diversity Guidance Manual which provides detailed advice for the police on a wide range of subjects. The Group has recently commented on a the Scottish Police College Family Liaison Officer training material, and a new policy produced by the police for the recruitment, retention and development of minority ethnic staff within the Scottish Police Service. At our next meeting we will be discussing the police National Equal Opportunities Training Strategy.
"We have also been updated on the activities of the Crown Office in providing guidance on prosecuting racial offence and in providing anti-racism training for all Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service staff, and well as initiatives the Crown Office is taking in recruitment from minority ethnic communities.
"The Steering Group has now reviewed the Executive's action plan and will publish next steps with target dates next month. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary also plans to publish his inspection report on the police and race in the New Year.
"I will also be coming forward soon with my proposals for reform of the police complaints system. It is essential that the public have full confidence in the handling of any complaints against the police, and the proposals will introduce an independent element into the process.
"The steps announced today will provide full and independent examination of this case. It is imperative that there is as swift and rigorous an investigation as possible, and to make findings fully available to the public. That is what will happen."
Work carried out over the last year as a result of the Stephen Lawrence Action Plan includes:
- the ACPOS Racial Diversity Strategy, published in March. This strategy is an important indicator of the full commitment of the Scottish Police Service to fight against racism.
- ACPOS Racial Diversity Strategy Guidance Manual was produced in consultation with the Scottish Executive Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Steering Group and published in August 2000. The Guidance Manual gives detailed practical advice to the police on a range of issues arising from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report: including: reporting and recording of racist incidents, investigation of racist crime, multi-agency working recruiting and career development, training, and fair practice including staff appraisal and complaints against the police;
- ACPOS is developing a National Policy for Recruitment, Retention and Development of Minority Ethnic Staff within the Scottish Police Service, which was recently examined by the Steering Group;
- the police are developing a National Equal Opportunities Training Strategy which will be considered by the Steering Group in December;
- The Steering Group has reviewed the Executive's action plan in the light of the responses to the original document, the progress made and other developments. It intends to publish is revised plan, with target dates, next month;
- the Crown Office has issued guidance to procurators fiscal on the prosecution of racist crimes, which will be kept under review in liaison with the Commission for Racial Equality, local race equality groups and the Stephen Lawrence Steering Group;
- the Crown Office is enhancing its anti-racism training by ensuring that a programme of anti-racism training forms part of induction training for new staff and mainstream training of all staff;
- a high level Crown Office group is being chaired by the Solicitor General to take forward the commitment to improve recruitment of ethnic minority staff;
- the Crown Office's strategic plan identifies racially motivated crime as one of the four areas of serious crime on which the department intends to focus;
- a Race Equality Advisory Forum has been established, in recognition that racial equality issues go beyond police and criminal justice system into wider society. The Forum is advising on the 'non-justice' recommendations in the Action Plan;
- Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has inspected the police complaints system in Scotland. The report from that inspection - A Fair Cop? - will provide important background to the consultation paper on police complaints the Executive intends to publish later this year; and
- HMIC is currently examining how the police work with ethnic minority communities in Scotland, and will publish its thematic report in the New Year.
BACKGROUND
1. The Macpherson Report on the murder of Stephen Lawrence was published on 24 February 1999. It is available at: http://www.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm
2. The Scottish Executive published an action plan for Scotland on 20 July 1999. It is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc01/sli-00.htm
News Release: SE3063a/2000
28 Nov 2000