PRESS RELEASE

July 3rd, 2008

Member's bill next step in fight for Damian's Law

The campaign for mandatory sentences for knife carriers is set to be subject of a member’s bill in the Scottish Parliament later this year.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is considering lodging a bill in favour of Damian’s Law after the summer recess.

Mr McNeil is currently discussing how best to take forward the knife campaign with parliamentary colleagues and legal advisors.

If the bill is put forward, Scotland’s MSPs could get the chance next year to debate and ultimately vote on making Damian’s Law a reality.

Damian’s Law has already had the backing of the 15,000 members of the public who signed a petition in favour of it.

That petition was handed into the Scottish Parliament by campaigner John Muir, who lost his son Damian in an unprovoked knife attack last year.

The member’s bill is seen as a positive step in the campaign for Damian’s Law.

Among the people giving advice to the campaign is Paul McBride, one of Scotland’s leading QCs and a friend of the Muir family, and Pauline McNeill, the shadow justice minister at the Scottish Parliament.

Local MSP Duncan McNeil, who helped deliver the petition last week, said: “We have to keep up the momentum campaigners like John Muir have already built up and a member’s bill may be the best way to do that.

“This would, in time, give the Scottish Parliament the chance to debate the merits of Damian’s Law and ultimately change the law.

“This has to be taken seriously and all options have to be considered. That is why we are taking soundings from people on the legal side to ensure that is taken forward correctly.

“But we must take urgent action to protect people from knife crime to avoid a repeat of the tragedy which befell Damian Muir.”

 ENDS