by Lucy Ashton
Scotland’s Lord Advocate has informed the First Minister that she plans to step down from the role.
Dorothy Bain KC was appointed Lord Advocate in June 2021 after she was “hand-picked” for the post by Nicola Sturgeon.
The Scottish Government said that Ms Bain has now told John Swinney that she “intends to leave office”. Mr Swinney is currently mulling over his ministerial appointments, including the Lord Advocate, following last week’s Holyrood election.
The news that Ms Bain intends to stand down comes after controversy over the dual role of the Lord Advocate, who is both Scotland’s chief prosecutor and the Scottish Government’s principal legal adviser as a Cabinet minister.
Doroth Bain KC., Russell Findlay and First Minister John Swinney.
Ms Bain was criticised by opposition MSPs earlier this year after it emerged she informed Mr Swinney of the charges against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell around 10 months before they were made public. Mr Swinney then said it was “entirely appropriate” for Scotland’s top law officer to brief him on “sensitive” court cases.
The Scottish Government said at the time that it considers the current position is appropriate, and that it would be for the next administration formed after the Holyrood election to consider any changes.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s hand-picked Lord Advocate pushed contentious SNP policies such as scrapping jury trials and decriminalising possession of heroin and crack cocaine at the stroke of a pen.
“She then went on to share secret information with John Swinney about the criminal case involving Sturgeon’s estranged husband. These are just some of the reasons why the Lord Advocate’s cosy dual role as Scotland’s most senior prosecutor and member of the government must end.
“To rebuild public confidence, Swinney must heed our demands that the post of Lord Advocate is completely separated from government.”