This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7077823.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Soldier death inquiries move bid Soldier death inquiries move bid
(about 23 hours later)
A member's bill is to be introduced at Holyrood which would allow fatal accident inquiries to be held into the deaths of Scottish soldiers abroad.A member's bill is to be introduced at Holyrood which would allow fatal accident inquiries to be held into the deaths of Scottish soldiers abroad.
At present only English coroners can investigate their deaths but there is mounting pressure for a change.At present only English coroners can investigate their deaths but there is mounting pressure for a change.
Last week, the Scottish Government ruled out allowing English coroners to sit at a Scottish military base.Last week, the Scottish Government ruled out allowing English coroners to sit at a Scottish military base.
Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Margaret Smith hopes to allow sheriffs to hold inquiries into soldier deaths.Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Margaret Smith hopes to allow sheriffs to hold inquiries into soldier deaths.
Cross-party support The Lib Dem MSP for Edinburgh West believes that, with cross-party support, the bill could pass through Holyrood in a day and be law in a matter of months.
The Lib Dems believe, with cross-party support, the bill could pass through Holyrood in a day and be law in a matter of months. I hope that this proposal will attract cross-party support and that we can move swiftly to deal with this anomaly and reduce the stress and burden on these families Margaret Smith MSP
She said the change would speed up the process and reduce the "burden on families".
Ms Smith said: "This is a humanitarian situation. The families of service personnel who have given their lives have suffered enough.
"We should do all we can to minimise the delays to the inquiries into the deaths of their loved ones.
"I hope that this proposal will attract cross-party support and that we can move swiftly to deal with this anomaly and reduce the stress and burden on these families."
Deaths abroad
Scottish ministers are considering the options available to them, having now ruled out the most controversial one, which drew ridicule in Whitehall.Scottish ministers are considering the options available to them, having now ruled out the most controversial one, which drew ridicule in Whitehall.
The Ministry of Defence insisted the option of having inquests held at a Scottish base such as RAF Kinloss was "not on the table".The Ministry of Defence insisted the option of having inquests held at a Scottish base such as RAF Kinloss was "not on the table".
At present, all military deaths abroad must currently be examined by an English coroner.At present, all military deaths abroad must currently be examined by an English coroner.
Under Scots law, fatal accident inquiries cannot be held into anyone who dies abroad. Under Scots law, fatal accident inquiries cannot be held into deaths abroad.