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MSPs set for final vote on railway policing merger bill MSPs pass Scottish railway policing merger bill
(about 20 hours later)
MSPs are set to pass legislation aimed at merging railway policing north of the border into Police Scotland. MSPs have passed legislation aimed at merging railway policing north of the border into Police Scotland.
The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill would be the first step towards the national force taking on the role of British Transport Police (BTP). The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill is the first step towards the national force taking on the role of British Transport Police (BTP).
There has been a lengthy debate over the plan, with police bosses warning it could be "massively complicated" and "a real challenge". There had been a lengthy debate over the plan, with police bosses warning it could be "massively complicated" and "a real challenge".
The bill is expected to pass, with the Greens backing the SNP. The bill passed by 68 votes to 53, with the Greens backing the SNP.
The Lib Dems also supported the legislation in the stage one vote - although chiefly so they could pursue amendments at committee stage - while Labour and the Conservatives have opposed the merger and the bill throughout. Labour and the Conservatives have opposed the merger and the bill throughout, and the Lib Dems - who had supported the legislation in the stage one vote in order to pursue amendments at committee stage - also voted against the bill.
The Scottish government has long wanted to integrate railway policing services into the single national force, and tabled a bill to that end in December 2016.The Scottish government has long wanted to integrate railway policing services into the single national force, and tabled a bill to that end in December 2016.
The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill would confer extra powers on the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland, but further legislation would be needed at Holyrood and Westminster to transfer staff, properties and cross-border policing functions. The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill confers extra powers on the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland, but further legislation would be needed at Holyrood and Westminster to transfer staff, properties and cross-border policing functions.
The Scottish government insists the integration would provide "efficient and effective" delivery of policing. The Scottish government insists the integration will provide "efficient and effective" delivery of policing.
However, there has been debate over the plan, with concerns ranging from how cross-border services would be affected to the potential dilution of the special skills of transport officers.However, there has been debate over the plan, with concerns ranging from how cross-border services would be affected to the potential dilution of the special skills of transport officers.
The BTP wanted to continue providing railway policing in Scotland, but with oversight from Holyrood rather than Westminster.The BTP wanted to continue providing railway policing in Scotland, but with oversight from Holyrood rather than Westminster.
Chief Constable Paul Crowther warned MSPs that a merger could present a "real challenge" in replacing officers amid a "significant outflow of expertise".Chief Constable Paul Crowther warned MSPs that a merger could present a "real challenge" in replacing officers amid a "significant outflow of expertise".
However, Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins told the justice committee the move was not a "land-grab" by his force, saying the transition would be "complicated, but not insurmountable".However, Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins told the justice committee the move was not a "land-grab" by his force, saying the transition would be "complicated, but not insurmountable".
During the stage one debate, which saw MSPs agree to the general principles of the bill, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the government had "listened closely" to concerns. 'Absolutely committed'
The plan would be for the merger to be completed within two years, which Mr Higgins said was "frankly a luxury" compared with the timeframes in which previous major changes to the force had been achieved. After a series of votes on amendments during the stage three debate, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the "primary objective" of the move was to "maintain and enhance high standards of safety".
MSPs will debate a series of amendments proposed by Labour's Neil Bibby, Lib Dem Liam McArthur and Mr Yousaf, before voting on the final bill. He said the bill would improve accountability of railway policing in Scotland, and said he remained "absolutely committed" to backing staff.
The Scottish Conservatives opposed the plans, with MSP Oliver Mundell describing the merger as "an ill-judged and ill-thought out idea".
He added: "The list of those with concerns is almost as long as the Scottish government's list of excuses on policing matters."
Labour's Claire Baker also spoke out against the plan, warning of a loss of expertise and saying: "The Scottish government have ignored concerns of staff and unions".
Her colleague Neil Bibby, who moved a series of amendments to the bill, said it was "shocking" that the government was "ignoring the views of our police officers".
Lib Dem MSP Mike Russell said the merger was the riskiest of three options put forward, saying that ministers had decided that the majority of those in the policing sector who opposed the move were wrong.
However, Green member John Finnie said his party would support the bill on the condition there was no detriment to staff.
Commenting after the bill was approved, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "With this move we are ensuring that policing on Scotland's 93 million annual rail journeys is fully accountable to the people of Scotland and our parliament.
"Making this change gives our railway officers access to the specialist resources of the UK's second largest police force including, crucially, counter-terrorism capabilities."