More opposition to abolition of corroboration as police latest to voice disagreement

THE majority of police oppose abolishing corroboration, increasing pressure on the Scottish Government to reject the
proposal.

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps) and Scottish Police Federation are the latest to voice concerns.

They join lawyers from the Faculty of Advocates and judges from the Senators of the College of Justice. At present, two corroborating pieces of evidence are required to bring a case.

Chief Superintendent David O’Connor, president of Asps, said: “We are not opposed to making some amendments in relation to corroboration, but hold a strong view that there should be no blanket abolition.”

David Ross, vice-chairman of the federation, said: “We believe abolishing corroboration would increase appeals, increase pressure on witnesses, and bring about wrongful convictions.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland indicated it is more open to the idea.

“Removing the ‘artificial ceiling’ of corroboration and replacing it with an obligation to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry may be considered a more cogent test,” it said in response to a government consultation.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Lord Carloway’s recommendations [in a review on the matter] have been subject to a government consultation exercise. The consultation sought views on whether any additional safeguards would be required as a result of removing the corroboration rule, and we will consider all responses.”