This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-31519228

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Emails contradict Police Scotland stop-search claims Emails contradict Police Scotland stop-search claims
(about 2 hours later)
Police Scotland was not forced to release "inaccurate" stop-search data, according to new evidence released by the Information Commissioner.Police Scotland was not forced to release "inaccurate" stop-search data, according to new evidence released by the Information Commissioner.
Last week, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House told the police watchdog he had been made to release the records. Last week, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House told the police watchdog he had been compelled to release the records.
BBC Scotland used the data to reveal that police had not discontinued stop-searches on under-12s.BBC Scotland used the data to reveal that police had not discontinued stop-searches on under-12s.
But new documents, which show the correspondence between the police and commissioner, contradict his claim.But new documents, which show the correspondence between the police and commissioner, contradict his claim.
The special meeting of the Scottish Police Authority was called after BBC Scotland reported that the data released by Police Scotland had shown 356 children aged under 12 had been subject to "consensual" searches, despite assurances from the force that the practice would cease. Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes called the situation a "sorry mess" which risked seriously undermining public confidence in Scotland's national force.
She said the email exchange "rebuts each and every point the chief constable used in his defence at the Scottish Police Authority (SPA)".
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said the chief constable had written to the chair of the SPA on Monday to clarify the position.
She said the force had concerns about the "accuracy or reliability" of the data but had been advised by lawyers that it would face an "adverse decision notice" if the Freedom of Information appeal continued.
The special meeting of the SPA was called after BBC Scotland reported that the data released by Police Scotland had shown 356 children aged under 12 had been subject to "consensual" searches, despite assurances from the force that the practice would cease.
The chief constable said: "I think the BBC reported it as accurately as they could do.The chief constable said: "I think the BBC reported it as accurately as they could do.
"But the data was not 100% accurate and needed further interpretation.""But the data was not 100% accurate and needed further interpretation."
The BBC was not told that the figures from the police were inaccurate when they were released.The BBC was not told that the figures from the police were inaccurate when they were released.
Sir Stephen said: "[The data] was released under the explicit instructions of the Information Commissioner of Scotland.Sir Stephen said: "[The data] was released under the explicit instructions of the Information Commissioner of Scotland.
"We challenged whether it should be released because we said 'we're not 100% certain of the accuracy of the data'."We challenged whether it should be released because we said 'we're not 100% certain of the accuracy of the data'.
"We wanted more time to work on it, and we were told 'no, release it now'.""We wanted more time to work on it, and we were told 'no, release it now'."
But a new freedom of information request, for all correspondence between the police and the commissioner, tells a different story.But a new freedom of information request, for all correspondence between the police and the commissioner, tells a different story.
One document in the email thread acknowledges some issues with the stop-search database but that "the timetable for the data correction is still on track" for an early January 2015 release.One document in the email thread acknowledges some issues with the stop-search database but that "the timetable for the data correction is still on track" for an early January 2015 release.
Subsequent emails show that BBC Scotland asked for additional stop-search data - outside of the date range originally appealed - which was offered without any resistance by Police Scotland.Subsequent emails show that BBC Scotland asked for additional stop-search data - outside of the date range originally appealed - which was offered without any resistance by Police Scotland.
In mid-January the force advised the commissioner all stop-search data for 2014 would now be released to BBC Scotland "containing a caveat that a very small number of records contain invalid age data".In mid-January the force advised the commissioner all stop-search data for 2014 would now be released to BBC Scotland "containing a caveat that a very small number of records contain invalid age data".
However, the disclosure note in the released correspondence reveals that this caveat only warned to ignore ages outwith the 1-90 range - and did not warn about any other issues - despite Sir Stephen's claims that "inaccurate" data was released.However, the disclosure note in the released correspondence reveals that this caveat only warned to ignore ages outwith the 1-90 range - and did not warn about any other issues - despite Sir Stephen's claims that "inaccurate" data was released.
In publishing this correspondence, the Information Commissioner stated the release of the data had been negotiated, and not demanded.In publishing this correspondence, the Information Commissioner stated the release of the data had been negotiated, and not demanded.
The commissioner said: "The disclosure by Police Scotland was voluntary, and gave explanations and context to the data, all of which is good practice by the Police Scotland staff."The commissioner said: "The disclosure by Police Scotland was voluntary, and gave explanations and context to the data, all of which is good practice by the Police Scotland staff."
Ms McInnes said the emails released by the Information Commissioner rebutted "each and every point the chief constable used in his defence at the SPA".
"The facts do not match his claims," she said.
"He said the Scottish Information Commissioner compelled Police Scotland to publish stop and search information. This exchange makes clear that the release wasn't ordered.
"Police Scotland did not resist this, nor did they seek to make their case in the courts. Contrary to the chief constable's claims, the national force voluntarily released this information."
Ms McInnes added: "The national force spent months correcting stop-and-search data prior to its release. When it was finally released to the BBC, Police Scotland gave no indication whatsoever of further inaccuracies surrounding the consensual search of children.
"And yet, it is evident that Police Scotland's story changed utterly between it dispensing the information on 23 January and their giving evidence to the SPA on Friday 13 February.
"Parliament and the SPA is owed an honest explanation for this sorry mess."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Our decision to release the data was supported by an independent assessment of FoI procedures undertaken by an external firm of solicitors and our assessment of the likelihood of a subsequent adverse decision notice being issued under FoI legislation if the appeal continued.
"Legal advice concurred that Police Scotland is obliged to provide data that falls within the scope of a request, despite our concerns over its accuracy."