Issuing of disclosure certificates suspended

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Ministers have suspended the issuing of disclosure certificates for teachers, doctors and police officers until emergency legislation is passed.

About 1,000 certificates a day will be affected until the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act can be amended following a UK Supreme Court ruling.

The court said owning up to minor spent convictions breached human rights.

Those who work in places like schools, hospitals and prisons currently have to prove they have no convictions.

The court ruling has led to a number of legal actions in England and Wales.

The Scottish government has decided to reform the legislation to prevent similar cases.

Disclosure Scotland will now be prevented from processing the certificates until the emergency legislation is passed.

The Scottish Parliament is expected to approve the changes on Wednesday.