‘MSPs must watch over Police Scotland’

By GARETH ROSE
Published on 24/01/2013 01:05

A NEW committee of politicians should be created to hold Police Scotland to account, MSPs have said.

The proposal follows the public row between Chief Constable Steve House and Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, over who controls staff in HR and finance.

The new group should be a sub-committee of the justice committee, with three members of it sitting with three other MSPs, who have an interest in policing matters.

Justice committee convener Christine Grahame MSP said: 
“In setting up the new national police body, an incredibly ­powerful organisation, it is vital we get it right first time.

“We believe it commands a more detailed examination of its accountability than the justice committee can devote to it.”