Support for the abolition of requirement for Corroboration.

As the debate on abolishing the requirement for corroboration continues to divide opinion in Scotland, the Solicitor General Lesley Thomson Q.C. has spoken out in favour of the proposal.

The Scottish Government plans to abolish the requirement for corroboration as it believes that the current system is working against some victims of crime.

The Solicitor General supports the Government's proposal on the basis that it will improve access to justice for victims.

Prosecutors will consider the credibility of the allegation and all the evidence to support it. Ms Thomson provided reassurance that in any prosecution, the case will need to meet the test that there is a reasonable prospect of conviction in that it is more likely than not that the court would find the case proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Speaking at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services annual Sexual Offences Conference at Hampden in Glasgow, Ms Thomson highlighted what she believes to be the challenges which exist in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences, including child sexual exploitation.

"Many of those opposed to the abolition of the requirement of corroboration advance arguments that it will lead to a greater risk of and greater numbers of miscarriages of justice,” said Ms Thomson. “However, it is clear that it is the present system which creates many victims of miscarriages of justice."

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