UK government to support division of Lord Advocate’s role with Holyrood backing

Boris Johnson

The remit of the Lord Advocate is found in the Scotland Act.

Alba Party MP Kenny MacAskill last week asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson if he would consider a change in the law. A reply from Alister Jack, the Scotland Secretary, stated: “Whilst the UK government has the power to make this change, in practice we would want to ensure the Scottish government had put their proposals to the Scottish Parliament for scrutiny. It would then be for the Scottish government to make representation to the UK government.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said last week that there was a “strong, prima facie case” for the separation of the Lord Advocate’s powers.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “We intend to publish a consultation on the dual functions of the law officers in due course. It is vital that the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths, as well as the role of the law officers in government, continue to enjoy the full confidence of the public.

“The first minister has also been clear that, as this is an important constitutional matter, it is vital to take the time to get the consultation right.”