Kenny MacAskill spells out priorities for justice

Two deaths in the space of a weekend have highlighted the need to continue tackling "Scotland's blade culture", the justice secretary has said.

Kenny MacAskill said the Scottish Government and others "cannot and will not" let up in efforts to reduce knife crime.

Two people in Scotland were stabbed to death at the weekend. Teenager Christopher Knox was stabbed during an alleged fight in Greenock on Friday night and 30-year-old Christopher Devlin was found with stab wounds in Airdrie on Saturday and later died in hospital.

Mr MacAskill said: "Last weekend, in Greenock and Airdrie, two more young lives were tragically cut short in knife-related incidents. I offer my sincere sympathy to those who have lost loved ones to this horrific crime.

"There are fewer people carrying knives. And of those who do carry knives, more are being caught and given longer sentences than ever, and longer than in England and Wales. I am absolutely clear that we all need to continue working in a united way to tackle Scotland's blade culture wherever it occurs."

Mr MacAskill was outlining the government's justice priorities in Holyrood, which include trying to reduce sectarianism and giving more support to victims of crime.

On sectarianism, Mr MacAskill said new legislation will hand more power to the police and give procurators-fiscal clearer and tougher powers.

He said: "Racism, bigotry and sectarianism are not welcome here. We must now look to the future and focus on how we can make Scotland the country we all want it to be: a diverse society; an inclusive society; a society where all members are accepted and able to flourish."