Transparency required on expanded SSPCA powers

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC has sought confirmation that anti-shooting bias will not play a part in criminal investigations brought about by the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals (SSPCA) new investigatory powers.

BASC has issued a letter to Police Scotland and the Crown Office, urging them to closely monitor and guard against the potential for bias in any evidence gathered by the SSPCA.

Throughout the passage of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, now an Act, BASC was clear that the SSPCA is a charity and should not be granted statutory powers.

Given the SSPCA’s longstanding and publicly stated opposition towards shooting, BASC has concerns that this could lead to biased investigations, compromising the fundamental rights under Article 8 and Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). BASC fears that SSPCA’s actions might lead to unsafe convictions due to its ideological stance.

Considering the enhancement of SSPCA powers and the risk of bias, the UK and Scotland’s largest shooting organisation is seeking reassurance that criminal investigations will proceed with independence, integrity and objectivity.

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Transparency required on expanded SSPCA powers

BASC has sought confirmation that anti-shooting bias will not play a part in criminal investigations brought about by the SSPCA's new investigatory powers.

basc.org.uk

 

[Apthorpe]

Are SSPCA staff required (by the employer's regulations) to act impartially and fairly as the police are? Is it a disciplinary matter if they don't, and does the SSPCA have an independent investigator of their conduct? It seems fundamental that it is wrong or unjust to allow statutory powers to anybody who is not required to be scrupulously fair in their investigations and enforcement activities.

It is not just the conduct of criminal investigations which is important, it is the decision which investigations to carry out and that their resources are deployed fairly according to the numbers or animals at threat. It is rather perverse to expend more effort investigating the mistreatment of an animal of one species than of another. The RSPB for example have a delusional fixation on raptors and almost complete neglect of songbirds.

 

[NullMac]

Of course it will. This is Scotland. Expect a bunch of third rate halfwits to bring the full force of their urban prejudices against the people they hate i.e. us.

What's the value in a reassurance? Hold hands if you are scared