§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress of the procurator fiscal's investigation into the report on prisoners who were allegedly beaten by prison officers in Her Majesty's prison, Barlinnie. [40314]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe procurators fiscal at Glasgow and Hamilton were responsible for the investigation of complaints by prisoners of assaults at, and on the way to, Barlinnie prison, Glasgow, which were the subject of a BBC Scotland television programme "Frontline Scotland" on 12 October 1995. The programme looked at the complaints of three prisoners. The evidence in each of these cases has been considered by Crown counsel in the normal way.
In the case of William McKay, who alleged that he had been assaulted in January 1994, there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings against any person, and in October 1994 Crown counsel instructed that no criminal proceedings should be taken. The governor and Mr. McKay were told of that decision.
In the case of James McGhee, who complained of assault, it has not as yet been possible to establish who was responsible for his injuries and Crown counsel has given the procurator fiscal instructions to pursue further lines of inquiry. Crown counsel has also given the procurator fiscal instructions concerning the complaint of Thomas Monaghan. It would not be appropriate for any further details to be given at this time in relation to the complaints of Mr. McGhee and Mr. Monaghan.