FAI delays leaving families in limbo for years while M9 crash remains uninvestigated

Liam McArthur

Questions lodged by the Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that the longest wait between a date of death and the conclusion of evidence in FAIs topped 1,300 days between 2010-11 and 2014-15. In 2016-17 it reached 695 days.

This news follows party leader Willie Rennie’s appeal to the Lord Advocate to initiate an FAI into the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill, three years after the M9 crash one is yet to be conducted.

It also follows justice spokesperson Liam McArthur’s letter to the Lord Advocate seeking assurances deaths in prison were being properly investigated.

Mr McArthur said: “While I understand the complexity of these investigations, in many cases families across Scotland have faced unreasonable delays in their search for answers about the fates of their loved ones.

“With respect to deaths in prison, I have already asked the Lord Advocate if he will look again at why these delays are happening and take steps to address any underlying issues, including those related to capacity within the service.

“These new figures further suggest a systemic problem. Cases that drag on or are left unanswered leave families in limbo. I urge the Scottish government to ensure that all future fatal incidents are investigated comprehensively and without delay.”