Tory leader relives acid attack as he hits out at parole system

Russell Findlay, seen here shortly after the attack, had sulphuric acid thrown at his face but avoided permanent scarring

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has hit out at Scotland's parole system as the man who attacked him with acid 10 years ago is considered for release.

Findlay was working an investigative journalist for the Sun newspaper when William Burns knocked on his door disguised as a postman and threw corrosive liquid at his face.

As Burns makes a bid for parole, Findlay criticised the lack of transparency in the system which considers when inmates are freed.

He told BBC Scotland News that crime victims across Scotland were being denied "basic information" and the process needed to be "dragged into the 21st Century".

Findlay recalled the incident in December 2015, when he opened the front door of his Glasgow home to Burns two days before Christmas.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "He distracted me by getting me to sign a document.

"As I was looking down, he threw what turned out to be sulphuric acid into my face.

"I was extremely fortunate in that it only caught half my face.

"I was even more fortunate when the police turned up and the knife he was carrying was lying on the threshold."

"And I was even more fortunate in that my daughter, who was then aged 10, raised the alarm.

Findlay was able to quickly wash away the acid with water, meaning he avoided any permanent scarring.

He added: "I was able with a bit of good luck to detain Burns until the police arrived to take him away.

"Every single thing that could have gone right in those moments did."

William Burns was jailed in 2017 for 15 years over the acid attack

Findlay, who became an MSP in 2021, often worked on stories about organised crime and "dangerous individuals" during his previous 30-year career in journalism.

He took precautions such as never allowing his photograph to appear on his stories.

He said: "Organised crime in Scotland is deep-rooted, wealthy and powerful.

"We've seen in the past decade they've gone after prisoners, they've gone after police officers, they've gone after lawyers - they're capable of anything."

The publicity after the acid attack raised his profile but he took the view that if "keeping your head down" was unable to keep attackers away from his front door, then maybe it was better to speak out.

"There's no point in hiding away, so perhaps being visible and being outspoken is the best form of defence," he said.

At his trial Burns said he only intended to "beat up" Findlay who he claimed had told him he had a compromising photo showing him with a young blonde woman.

The jury rejected his suggestion that Findlay had thrown the acid at himself, and the judge jailed him for 15 years, with a minimum custody term of 10 years.

The attack took place months after Burns was freed early from a previous15-year jail term for shooting a woman during a post office robbery.

Burns was also accused of involvement in a gangland shooting in Bishopbriggs earlier in 2015, but was later acquitted after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence.

Findlay, who became an MSP in 2021, says the parole system needs "dragging into the 21st Century"

Findlay said he accepted Burns would be released from prison at some point but he was annoyed by the lack of transparency around a parole process which he said denied victims "the most basic information".

"All I get to know is whether a decision to grant to deny parole is made," he said.

"I'm not allowed to know where the hearing takes place, who sits on the board, I'm not allowed to know what evidence is led by him - so therefore cannot challenge it.

"I'm not allowed to know the reasons why a decision is reached and that's not just about me complaining about a lack of transparency.

"That applies to crime victims the length and breadth of Scotland."

Findlay said the early release of prisoners risked undermining public faith around sentencing and he pointed out that in other parts of the UK victims of crime are allowed to attend parole hearings.

"We just need to be dragged into the 21st Century," he said.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "The parole system could work better for everyone, which is why we are making changes through the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill, and why we currently have a public consultation on parole reforms that includes key areas of communication and transparency.

"It will be informed by direct engagement with victims and their families as well as other justice partners.

"Hearing about direct experience is essential to developing a more person-centred, trauma-informed system."