§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will carry out an investigation into the circumstances at Peterhead prison on 21 July when a young person who was visiting his father was taken to Aberdeen royal infirmary in connection with the suspected swallowing of a controlled drug; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandMark Lynch was detained by the police under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 whilst visiting his father, William George Lynch at Peterhead prison. He was taken to Peterhead police office to be searched under section 23. He was seen to take something from his pocket and put it into his mouth. The police suspected that the article could have been drugs and they attempted to prevent him from swallowing and to recover the article but were unsuccessful. Mark Lynch was immediately taken to Peterhead cottage hospital where he was given an emetic. He vomited as a result and a compressed wad of clingfilm was found amongst the vomit. No chocolate was analysed. Mark Lynch was then detained under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 but later released.
The circumstances have been reported to the regional procurator fiscal at Aberdeen in respect of alleged criminal conduct by the police officers involved in the incident. After further investigation, the procurator fiscal has concluded that no criminal proceedings should be taken against any police officer in connection with this incident and, in this decision, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and I have concurred.