'Stop rape trial ordeals'

John Anderson was at the centre of a public outcry

The Scottish Parliament's justice committee has heard a powerful plea for a change to the way in which alleged rape victims and witnesses are questioned in court.

The submission, by the Scottish Rape Crisis network, follows concern about the John Anderson case, in which a 13-year-old girl and her mother were cross-examined by the accused.

Sandy Brindley told MSPs that many people working with rape victims had concerns about aggressive questioning of the woman making the allegation.

She said that many women described the experience as equivalent to being "raped a second time".

Anne Keown, from the Law Society of Scotland, told the committee one option being considered was legislation which would force the accused to put questions to a witness through a solicitor.

But she ackowledged this could run into problems with the European Convention on Human Rights and would not necessarily protect witnesses from the line of questioning used.

The justice committee heard calls for reform

Under European law, anyone accused of a crime has the right to examine witnesses or have them examined on his behalf.

Another approach would be to strengthen existing schemes, which allow vulnerable witnesses to give evidence using screens or video links.

The Scottish Executive has reiterated its commitment to finding a solution to the problem.

An announcement is expected during First Ministers Questions on Thursday.

Mr Anderson, 48, walked free from the High Court in Perth, after a case in which he conducted his own defence and questioned his two alleged victims.

After the Anderson case, Conservative MSP, Phil Gallie, said: "Ways must be found of protecting witnesses because obviously justice is not being served at the present time and government's words have got to turn into government action."

Gordon Jackson, a leading QC who is also a Labour MSP and a member of the justice committee, has said he is against a blanket ban on cross-examination by the accused.

He said that video links could provide a solution.