Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell says the debate on corroboration dominated Stage 1 proceedings, delaying the legislation.

Ms Mitchell says many of the measures in the Criminal Justice Bill are reasonable.

However, she says she remains unconvinced by some proposals.

Image source, bbc

The Tory MSP welcomes the amendment from Labour MSP Mary Fee, but she retains opposition to the universal implementation of the named person policy.

She congratulates Alison McInnes for her efforts at Stage 2.

Ms Mitchell says the bill will be remembered as a missed opportunity to provide legal aid to the victims in sexual offence cases. 

"It's a travesty."

Ms Murray says Scottish Labour will be supporting the Criminal Justice Bill at decision time.

Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray says 76 recommendations were made by Lord Carloway's group.

Dr Murray says the most concerning was the proposal to remove the requirement for corroboration and it's a relief that this was removed. 

Mr Matheson says the bill represents a significant step forward and will ensure our criminal justice system continues to be modern, efficient and strikes the right balance. 

The minister calls on MSPs to pass the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill. 

Controversial proposals to abolish the requirement for corroboration in criminal cases were dropped by the Scottish government.

This followed a review which recommended the need for two sources of evidence in criminal cases should be retained in certain circumstances.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson confirmed the measure would not be included in the Criminal Justice Bill in April.

He said the government needed more time to consider the findings.

The plans to end corroboration were brought forward by Mr Matheson's predecessor Kenny MacAskill, who had said the "outdated rule" meant many victims were denied justice.

Mr Matheson says the bill will help the police in its job

The justice secretary says the legislation also enhances the access of suspects to legal advice.

Mr Matheson says the corroboration provisions are still being considered by the government.

The justice secretary says he hopes a future parliament will find consensus for the provisions on corroboration to be enacted.  

MSPs are to approve new legislation that aims to introduce a statutory code governing the use of police stop and search powers.

The measures are contained in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, which will be voted on by Holyrood later.

The bill also sets out police powers to arrest, hold in custody and question suspects.

Image source, Police Scotland

But a controversial proposal to end the need for corroboration was dropped earlier this year.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson confirmed in September that Police Scotland was to stop the controversial practice of non-statutory stop and searches of adults and children.

It came after the Scottish government asked John Scott QC to examine the issue. His report found that ending the searches would not prevent officers carrying out their duties effectively.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson gets the final debate of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill underway. 

Mr Matheson praises the efforts of his predecessor Kenny MacAskill.

The minister says the Scottish government accepted the reform of corroboration should not be included in this bill. 

Labour MSP Elaine Murray asks if there is a possibility to bring forward the voting time.

The deputy presiding officer is thinking about that very issue. 

That concludes the amendment phase of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill. 

MSPs reject the amendment from Margaret Mitchell seeking legal aid for victims of sexual crimes over access to medical history documentation.

Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell says the government rejection of her amendment prevents the representation of the victims' rights.

Ms Mitchell says this is available in England and Wales and this makes a complete sham of all the rhetoric about the Scottish government wanting to protect the rights of victims of serious sexual crimes.

She says the government is not prepared to put the money to support sexual crimes victims.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the amendment from Ms Mitchell seeks legal aid for victims of sexual crimes and he says this is a major change.

Mr Matheson says he would be very concerned about such a change at Stage 3 of a bill.

The minister says the proposed amendment would add significantly to the legal aid fund.

He says the government is dedicated to directing the support to victims themselves, not lawyers. 

Mr Matheson says the amendment would not apply to rape victims and would unintended consequences.

Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray says the amendment from Margaret Mitchell is clear.

Ms Murray says the amendment has a lot of support from victims' groups.

She says we need to make some progress in the way we support victims of sexual crimes.

Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes also backs the amendment.

Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell speaks to the final amendment relating to the recovery of documents in sexual offences cases.

Ms Mitchell says there is a hearing to determine the application for the documents.

Rape Crisis and Scottish Women's Aid say there is a lack of legal aid for complainers.

She says in Scotland the Crown office must take into account the complainer's view, but the Crown represents the public's interest.

This is why legal aid must be made available to complainers, as it is unacceptable that rape victims do not have their right to legal representation.

She says her amendment allows access to justice and ensures the rights of rape and sexual assault victims. 

Mr Matheson says it is important to ensure that needs of all individuals are met.

The amendments relating to the support for vulnerable persons are passed.

The justice secretary speaks to amendments relating to support for vulnerable persons via appropriate adult services. 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says he backs the amendments from Labour MSP Mary Fee on supporting the children of people in prison. 

MSPs unanimously back Labour MSP Mary Fee's amendments about supporting the children of prisoners. 

Ms Fee praises Barnardo's Scotland for the work they have done on this issue. 

Ms Fee says too often the voices of children are lost in the justice system.

The Labour MSP says her amendment will help ensure their voices are heard.

She says we need to do more to support these children and they must not remain the hidden victims of crime.

Justice Committee convener Christine Grahame congratulates Ms Fee for her amendment.

Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes also welcomes the amendments to help the 27,000 children of prisoners in Scotland.