§ Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether since the trial and conviction of Robert Simpson, sentenced to five years' imprisonment in 1907, new evidence has been brought to light, first as to the un-trustworthiness of the handwriting expert Gurrin's testimony, as shown by the cases of Beck and Edalji, and second as to the allegation that the actions raised against the newspapers were raised contrary to the instructions of Simpson; and, if so, whether, in the circumstances, he will reduce the sentence?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)No new evidence has been brought to light in connection with this case. The conviction of the accused did not rest upon expert evidence given as to his handwriting, 1813 and no evidence was adduced at the trial or has since been disclosed tending to show that the actions raised against the newspapers were raised contrary to the instructions of the accused.