Scottish Parliament – Sept. 16, 2025 – 4.99.1

Amendment 101, in Sharon Dowey’s name, would give an expanded version of what I am seeking to achieve by offering the so-called opt-out clause that the Government said was not in my amendment 64. I am happy to support Sharon Dowey’s amendment 101 if mine does not pass. Amendment 64 is not a new amendment. It was brought before the Criminal Justice Committee at stage 2 in March this year. The reality is that, if there had been any competency issues with its wording, or if there had been any other issues that could have been flagged, addressed or even raised by the Government ahead of today, they were not.