The Scottish government has dropped proposals to end corroboration in criminal cases in Scotland.

Corroboration, the need for evidence to come from at least two sources, was called to be dropped in criminal cases in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill. More time has been called for by the Scottish Government to review the process. 

Report into Corroboration 

Lord Bonomy had conducted a report into which safeguards should be used to replace corroboration. Although the report found that it could be replaced in some circumstances, Lord Bonomy found it should still apply to evidence obtained by hearsay and confession. The report also stated that it should be a requirement that ­police video all interviews with suspects and that the practice of dock identification is scrapped. 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said in a statement in the Scottish Parliament: "The bill should proceed with the amendment to remove the corroboration provision from the bill and also to remove the related increase in the jury majorities required for conviction."

 “The issues that Lord Bonomy has raised are of crucial importance and I want to make sure we take the time to consider them fully.

“The Scottish Government will look at Lord Bonomy’s detailed recommendations as a package, alongside consideration of measures to improve access to justice for victims including the corroboration requirement itself.

“We all recognise the added difficulties of prosecuting crimes committed in private, and we all share the belief that victims of crime deserve access to justice. Despite this, it has not been possible to build a consensus around the corroboration rule at this time.

“On that basis, it is clear to me that proceeding with the removal of the corroboration requirement in the Criminal Justice Bill would be neither appropriate nor feasible.”

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