Double jeopardy bill backed by MSPs

Legislation that aims to allow the retrial of suspects who may have escaped punishment was backed by MSPs yesterday.

The Double Jeopardy Bill will allow exemptions to the centuries-old principle that no-one should be tried twice for the same crime.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said he was pleased the "important reform" was the last piece of Holyrood legislation before parliament dissolved ahead of the elections.

He said: "The Double Jeopardy Bill, the final piece of legislation before this parliament, can be traced back to the debate at the end of the last parliamentary session on 22 February, 2007.

"We, together with the Conservatives, made the case for reform of double jeopardy.

"In a thought-provoking debate a number of weighty points were made and there was general agreement that this was an issue that necessitated careful study.

"The parties comprising the then administration argued against making the case for reform, but I am pleased to see they have now joined with us in a widespread consensus."

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker welcomed the broad agreement to reform "outdated laws on double jeopardy".

He said the bill struck the correct balance between the rights of victims and those of the accused.