Lord Gill to give evidence on judicial register of interests to Holyrood

The former Lord President is to give evidence to a Holyrood inquiry over the creation of a judicial register of interests.

Lord Gill previously declined to appear before MSPs on the Public Petitions Committee but will be questioned by them next month.

As it stands, judges and sheriffs are not required to disclose details of shareholdings or directorships.

In contrast, other senior public figures, among them MSPs, MPs, public board members and councillors are required to reveal these interests.

Where a member of the judiciary finds there might be a conflict of interest they are required to recuse themselves.

Peter Cherbi, a campaigner, tabled a petition at the Scottish Parliament that would see judges declaring their pecuniary interests.

But Lord Gill opposed the plans and wrote to the committee saying a judge’s privacy would be negatively affected by “aggressive media or hostile individuals”.

He added: “The establishment of such a register therefore may have the unintended consequence of eroding public confidence in the judiciary.”

Lord Gill refused, however, to explain this evidence before MSPs and explained that the legislation that created the Parliament provided that judicial office holders were not required to give evidence.

Following his retirement earlier this year he was invited for a third time and agreed to face MSPs on November 10.

Mr Cherbi said: “Now that Lord Gill cannot hide behind the rank of Lord President and refuse to attend the Scottish Parliament, it will be interesting to hear how Scotland’s longest serving judge attempts to justify a judicial exemption against transparency when openness is supposedly a pre- requisite for all others in our courts and justice system.

Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw, a committee member, said: “I warmly welcome this change of heart by Lord Gill to appear before the Committee, even if it is as the former Lord President. I am sure the committee will host a fascinating and frank exchange of views.”