SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 05/07/05

SSP MSP charged at Dungavel Protest

SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie has been charged after refusing to allow police to
search her handbag as she travelled to Dungavel to take part in protests
there.

Police informed Carolyn that they were invoking Section 60 of the Police and
Crime Prevention Act 1994 and insisted on searching her handbag.
Carolyn said afterwards;

“Yet again we see totally over the top and heavy handed policing.
“Quite what they expected to find in the way of weapons in my handbag I
don’t know.
“I regard it as an infringement of my civil liberties and of all those who
the police searched without a shred of evidence that we were anything other
than entirely peaceful demonstrators.”