Bill Walker trial: MSP should be convicted

A court has been urged to convict an MSP of a string of domestic abuse charges, hearing that his behaviour towards his three ex-wives was “violent, domineering, controlling and relentless” over decades.

Bill Walker MSP arrives at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Picture: PA

• Prosecutor Les Brown tells court that Bill Walker MSP should be found guilty

• Walker engaged in “systemic physical and emotional abuse” towards his three ex-wives over decades, court hears

Evidence shows Bill Walker, 71, engaged in “systematic physical and emotional abuse” towards the women over a prolonged period of time, Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told.

Prosecutor Les Brown told the court that Walker had, at times, treated the allegations against him “with an air of dismissive arrogance” and was inconsistent in his evidence.

“I would submit that Mr Walker’s violent past behaviour has indeed caught up with him, and that the investigation into his conduct has revealed evidence, led in this court, which supports the veracity and the reliability of the testimony of his ex-wives,” the procurator fiscal told Sheriff Katherine Mackie.

“I would ask you to accept that this behaviour over the years and decades was indeed violent, domineering, controlling and relentless. I would invite Your Ladyship to convict Mr Walker of all of the charges in the complaint.”

But solicitor advocate Gordon Martin, defending, said Walker should be acquitted, and pointed to issues which he said raised reasonable doubts about the Crown’s position.

The case is now adjourned until Thursday August 22 when the sheriff will deliver her verdict. She has heard the case over nine days over two separate weeks.

The independent MSP for Dunfermline is accused of a series of attacks against his three former wives and a step-daughter between 1967 and 1995, all of which he denies.

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