Bid to introduce politicians’ “disclosure checks” around youngsters rejected by MSPs

A Holyrood bid to change the law and ensure that politicians undergo disclosure checks before being left alone with children has been rejected by MSPs at Hoyrood.

Alex Cole-Hamilton warned the current situation is open to "serious abuse"

Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton had lodged a bid to amend the Disclosure (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood today which would have meant MSPs, councillors and MPs undergo PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) checks.

But the move was voted down by the education committee amid concerns that such a radical step had not been fully consulted on. Children's minister Maree Todd said she was "sympathetic" to the purpose behind the change, but called on the Liberal Democrat MSP to raise with it Holyrood's standards committee and Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh to look into the issue.

"I am absolutely prepared to work with Parliament to find a solution, but I do not think that the provisions of this Bill are the appropriate way to do this," she said.

"I think it is important to remember that the scheme is specifically for those working with vulnerable groups and there is no `pass or `fail' to disclosure."

The committee voted to rejected Mr Cole-Hamilton's proposals.

The issue of politicians’ relationship with young people was thrown into focus after former finance secretary Derek Mackay was forced to quit last month when it emerged he sent inappropriate text messages to a 16-year-old boy, although Cole-Hamilton’s proposals had been lodged prior to this. The Lib Dems have also been in the spotlight over revelations that former MP Cyril Smith sexually abused young boys.

Mr Cole-Hamilton, who has previously worked in child protection field, said; "In today's personality driven culture politicians can sometimes feel like celebrities.

"There is no question that they have both power and influence. The recognition of that power and influence is almost universal outside of this Parliament."

He insisted there is an assumption that PVG checks already apply to politicians.

"That assumption turns to astonishment when people learn that politicians are exempted," he added.

"Given the protections that are rightly in place for teachers and others, that nothing should apply to powerful people who encounter those same young people is a double standard and has the potential for serious abuse."