Talk:Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby

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Baron Boyd

Today's announcement that Colin Boyd is to be elevated to the House of Lords to sit on the non party-political cross-benches has caused controversy in Scotland where, as Lord Advocate, he combines the judicial role of chief prosecutor with the political role of legal adviser to the Scottish cabinet. Criticism of Boyd's dual judicial/political role arises from the two high-profile Scottish legal cases in which he has been involved: Shirley McKie and the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) argued that Boyd should not have been responsible for prosecuting Shirley McKie and, at the same time, awarding her £750,000 compensation for dropping her counter claim against the Scottish Executive. The SNP criticised the announcement of Boyd's life peerage for making "a role which is already too political even worse".

The Conservative party's shadow secretary of state for Scotland, David Mundell, said that Labour was simply demonstrating its "contempt for the House of Lords". He added: "Either Colin Boyd is a member of the government or he is a crossbencher – you cannot be both".

But Labour First Minister Jack McConnell countered by describing Boyd's appointment as an appropriate and welcome recognition for Scotland's Lord Advocate. Boyd himself said:

"The ability to represent in the House of Lords views which are relevant to my duties as a Scottish Law Officer is welcome, and I will take all opportunities to make a useful contribution to debate in this regard."Honour for prosecutor causes row Phase4 12:57, 11 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]