Scotland plans 'corporate homicide' law
Scotland plans 'corporate homicide' law
An offence of "corporate homicide" could be introduced in Scotland. Plans have been announced for a specific offence for corporate and public bodies which cause death through failures of management - this would take the scope beyond that of the Westminster draft bill, which would not apply to Crown bodies. The Scottish Executive will publish a consultation paper in the new year, putting forward options for changes to the law. Unions in Scotland have campaigned for such a law and welcomed the announcement by the justice minister, Cathy Jamieson. STUC general secretary Bill Speirs said he hoped it would hold company directors responsible for the failure to protect workers properly under health and safety laws. He added that Scotland should introduce measures similar to those announced for England and Wales in the Queen’s speech. 'As part of our Unions Work campaign, the STUC continues to press the Scottish Executive to urgently introduce similar legislation to ensure the protection of Scottish workers,' he said. Announcing the consultation in Scotland, Ms Jamieson said: 'I know there is public concern that there is a possible gap in the law that makes it difficult for companies to be prosecuted for deaths that are attributable to management failures. The first minister and I have already made it clear that if legislation was required to reform this area of law then we will not hesitate to bring forward proposals for legislation.'
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