Murder bid victim feels ‘gagged’ by parole confidentiality agreement

In its guidance to victims, the Parole Board for Scotland states: “Anything disclosed during the hearing should not be disclosed to any outside party afterwards.”

The Parole Board must publish its reasons for releasing a prisoner.

There is no requirement to publish summaries when a prisoner is not released, although the panel may decide to do so.

In 2022, following McIntosh’s first parole tribunal, the body issued a public statement on social media, external, due to “considerable interest”, confirming he would not be released.

Ms McDonald said: “I was so grateful because it took the stress and pressure off of me.”

Under 2022 legislation, victims in the cases of prisoners given life sentences, orders for lifelong restriction and extended sentences, have the right to observe the parole hearing, usually by live video link.

Ms McDonald said the confidentiality agreement should “be more specific” about which information cannot be revealed, rather than covering every aspect of the hearing.