Lord Advocate faces call to publish details of M9 death crash report

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called on Scotland's top law officer to state when the findings of an investigation into the deaths of two people in a crash on the M9 will be published.

Police near the scene of the crash on the M9. Picture: Michael Gillen

Mr Rennie has written to Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland asking for details of the independent probe he instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) to carry out.

Lamara Bell, 25, and John Yuill, 28, died after lying in a crashed car for three days. Ms Bell was badly hurt in the crash off the M9 near Stirling and died later in hospital. Mr Yuill died at the scene.

The Pirc inquiry centres on why a telephone call made to Police Scotland on Sunday 5 July, which reported their car was off the road, was not followed up. In his letter to Mr Mulholland, Mr Rennie said: “I would be grateful for any indication that you can provide as to when this investigation will conclude and when you will be in a position to publish its findings.”

A Pirc spokesman said: “All findings from the investigation will be passed to the Lord Advocate for his consideration in due course.” A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “The Lord Advocate has received the letter from Willie Rennie and will respond in due course.”