 | 'In parliament, Mr Sheridan claimed the delay in implementing his bill until the end of 2002 would mean 90,000 Scots would be subjected to the shame and humiliation of a sheriff officer forcibly entering their homes to value the possessions of their families.' Frances Horsburgh and Murray Ritchie in the Herald, 7 th December 2000. |  |
Iain Hunter, a 32-year-old community worker, was placed in a cell in the local police office after he had joined his supporters in occupying the office of a local sheriff's officer.
The protest was staged as the bill by Tommy Sheridan to abolish poindings and warrant sales was approved without a final vote by the Scottish Parliament to the applause of MSPs. But the Scottish Socialist Party MSP said a day of celebration had been soured by the executive's determination to delay its implementation until the end of 2002.
SSP activists had promised their action would be peaceful, and later appeared concerned at suggestions that Mr Hunter might be charged with a minor assault.
Alan McCombes, SSP campaign manager, said the Falkirk protest was amicable and non-violent. Those taking part had gone to a nearby fast-food shop when eight police officers arrived in two vans. He said Mr Hunter was singled out and arrested. When the protesters returned to their campaign headquarters, they found five policemen waiting for them wanting names and telephone numbers.
A police spokeswoman said there had been an incident and that a report was being sent to the procurator-fiscal in Falkirk.
In parliament, Mr Sheridan claimed the delay in implementing his bill until the end of 2002 would mean 90,000 Scots would be subjected to the shame and humiliation of a sheriff officer forcibly entering their homes to value the possessions of their families.
"Needless to say the majority of those 90,000 people will be members of low income families - benefit claimants, lone parents, low paid workers, disabled people, pensioners, and carers," he told MSPs.
But his bid to ensure what many members condemned as "a barbaric medieval" practice should end next April failed by 71 votes to 36. A compromise date of the end of December 2001 put forward by John McAllion, a Labour MSP and co-sponsor of the bill, was also voted down, although both had the support of the SNP.
Earlier this year, Labour backbenchers rebelled against the executive and made it clear they intended to support Mr Sheridan's aim of abolishing warrant sales in principle. In a last minute turnaround, the executive dropped its opposition to the private member's bill but insisted it could not be put into effect at once.
During yesterday's debate Mr Sheridan clashed angrily with ministers as they argued that ending warrant sales in April or December 2001 was "unrealistic" and did not leave enough time to find an alternative method of debt recovery.
Angus MacKay, the finance minister, said a comprehensive review of the law of diligence was underway and a parliamentary working group would report in June 2001. Mr Sheridan and the SNP have refused to take any further part in the group as they claim its remit is simply to provide a replacement which will amount to warrant sales by another name.
But Mr MacKay insisted they were seeking a "humane and workable" alternative, but added: "There are unfortunately some people who refuse to pay their debts although able to do so, until they are forced to do so. There must be no loopholes in the law through which these people can slip.".
Tory leader David McLetchie pledged to continue to work with the parliamentary group to find a suitable alternative.
The bill is expected to get royal assent early in the new year.
-Dec 7th
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