Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Questions raised in the media over conduct of SCCRC Chief

No doubt the worthy among us failed to miss the Sun newspaper's expose earlier this week of Gerard Sinclair , the Chief of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, proving he has some colour at fund raising events .. but did the raising of his kilt raise funds or issues of conduct ?

It's a good thing this kind of public flashing isn't catching on in the legal profession ...but I'm sure readers may remember the odd story or two of recent lawyers caught in flashing incidents too .. oh, and also perhaps occasional members of the judiciary also at it. Doubtless you will all remember expert testimony in cases as to the causes of flashing ...

Since it may only be a matter of time before the issue takes up a regulatory nature, or, according to sources within the Executive, flashers may have to be acted upon, here is a copy of the article appearing in the Sun newspaper for a little light relief ...

Sun 1472007 inside Sun 1472007 inside double

Legal watchdog Gerard Sinclair stunned guests at a posh bash - by raising his kilt and FLASHING.

The 41-year old boss of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission licked his lips as he exposed himself for the sordid snap. The photo was taken at Gleneagles Hotel during a ngiht out packed with celebs, including snooker ace Stephen Hendry, right, and former boxing champ Jim Watt.Former sports and culture minister Alan Wilson MSP was also at the black tie bash, organised to promote the 2014 Ryder Cup at the famous Perthshire golf course.

Singlair heads the SCCRC, which investigates possible miscarriages of justice, including sex offences. He has been resposible for a host of high profile cases such as the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al Megrahi. But our snaps show him flashing his manhood in the hotel bar - a move that could have ended up with him being charged with public indecency and put on the sex offenders register.

Last night one source said "He's responsible for looking at some of the most serious crimes committed in this country, including sex offences. "It's inappropriate to say the least that he's behaved in this manner. It's not the kind of thing a guy in his position should be doing"

Married Sinclair of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire worked as a solicitor in a private firm for 19 years. He also represented sports stars including coke shame snooker ace Ronnie O'Sullivan. The snap was twaken at the bash in 2001, before Sinclair - who was also a temporary sheriff - took up his current post.

The SCCRC was set up in 1999 to look into possible miscarriages of justice. It's website says "Our review of cases is completely independent "All cases accepted by us are subject to a robust and thoroughly impartial review before a recision on whether or not to refer to the High Court is taken" Sinclair joined the SCCRC in May 2003.

In June, his office recommended that Lockerbie bomber Megrahi be allowed a second to appeal. The Libyan agent's defence team claims evidence against him was fabricated. The SCCRC also played a role in the quashing of convictions of wrongly accused Ice Cream War killers Thomas Campbell and Joe Steele

Last night Sinclair refused to comment.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr Sinclair should resign with immediate effect.
No flasher should be allowed to run such company.
He will favour flashers

Anonymous said...

Gerard Sinclair should be charged and made to resign for bringing the profession into disrepute.
He is an absolute disgrace, SCCRC should fire him.