Bill Walker in court over 24 domestic abuse charges

A SCOTTISH politician has denied charges of assault in a hearing at a domestic abuse court in Edinburgh.

Bill Walker will appear again in two weeks’ time when a trial date will be set.

He faces 24 charges, rather than 30, and the case has been reduced in seriousness from 
solemn to summary.

In summary cases, the maximum sentence is 12 months in prison and the highest possible fine is £5,000, compared with five years and an unlimited financial penalty in solemn.

Dressed in a grey suit and scarf, black coat and a red tie, Walker, 71, the MSP for 
Dunfermline, spoke only to confirm his name.

Andrew Crosbie, defending, told the court that Walker would enter pleas of not guilty.

The charges against Mr Walker, who has been married three times, date from 1967 to the late 1980s.

Sheriff Fiona Reith, QC, said: “I do not want to be in a situation where this is dragging on.

“Parties should be in a position to address the court in two weeks’ time.”

The domestic abuse court sits fortnightly in Edinburgh, and is designed to bring specialist knowledge and consistency to cases.

A former chartered engineer, Walker had been a member of the SNP for 40 years before being expelled when the allegations came to light.

He agreed to put his appeal against expulsion on hold while the court proceedings were on-going.

When asked outside court whether he intended to continue as an MSP, Walker replied: “Of course.”