Thomas Ross KC

Thomas Ross KC said such a list might deter physical and psychological assaults.

His comments come as figures show that in 2022-23 Police Scotland recorded 62,000 incidents of domestic abuse. Mr Ross said he was motivated to speak about the issue because he witnessed domestic violence as a child.

The register would operate in the same way as the one for sex offenders. Those with a criminal record would have to update police on their details and movements.

As it stands, people must make a request under Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland.

Mr Ross told the Mail on Sunday: “This [a register] might deter some people from battering their wives.

“It would work in exactly the same way as the sexual offences register, so the requirement would be put on the offender. He would have to give his up-to-date address to police, they wouldn’t be able to move or go abroad without telling the police.”

He added: “Underpinning it all, if they mess about and don’t do what they’re meant to do then you get them back to court and send them to jail.”

Mr Ross said seeing domestic abuse in his own family shaped his views. He commented: “I couldn’t do anything when I was six, seven and eight so if it’s possible to do something that’s helpful I should do it. That’s my thinking.”

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “We are keen to understand the detail of this and similar proposals and how they would interact with existing measures in order to give it due consideration.”