Press Release
8th December 1999
High Level Investigation into Sheriff Court "shambles."
Strathclyde Police have appointed an investigating officer to determine the full circumstances which led to the trial of a suspected local drug dealer collapsing in October.
In a letter to MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, Jim Wallace QC MSP, agrees that the situation is deeply unsatisfactory.
"I share your concern," he says "about the effect of such a case on public confidence in relation to the police. More importantly, however, is the fact that an alleged drug dealer has been allowed back into the community."
Mr McNeil, who first raised the matter with the Justice Minister on 6th October this year, following the case’s collapse being reported in the Telegraph, welcomed the development, saying:
"This episode has undoubtedly undermined public confidence at a time when it is already difficult to persuade members of the public to testify against suspected drug dealers. It is extremely frustrating when an expensive criminal investigation collapses in such a manner.
"It is reassuring, though, to see that the police recognise this and have initiated a high level investigation which will hopefully help finally get to the bottom of this shambles."
As the investigation is ongoing the Justice Minister is unable to offer any further comment.
ENDS
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