Ex-judge's human rights verdict

Lord McCluskey called the plan a "waste of time"

Proposals for a human rights watchdog have been criticised by a former judge.

Lord McCluskey estimated the cost of a Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights would be more than £1m per year. He called it an expensive waste of time.

In evidence to MSPs, the 76-year-old retired lawman said a commissioner would produce "silly" ideas and would soak up public funds.

The bill to establish an independent human rights commission was launched by the Scottish Executive in October.

Lord McCluskey, in a statement to one of Holyrood's justice committees, was at pains to make sure his support for human rights was total - but that they were not legal rights enforceable in law.

It will be another quango, a quasi-bureaucratic institution consuming public funds Lord McCluskey

"There must be a real danger that the commissioner, having little better to do but a large canvas on which to do it, will turn it into a font of 'political correctness' producing more of the silly ideas that we read about every day," he said.

"MSPs will need no reminding that the constant emphasis on rights does little to remind people of their responsibilities.

"It will be another quango, a quasi-bureaucratic institution consuming public funds.

"The whole bill uses the word 'rights' loosely.

"A 'legal right' is something that can be vindicated in a court of law. So-called moral rights cannot."

The bill has already been launched at Holyrood

The former High Court judge suggested to MSPs the money could be better spent in different ways to advance human rights without "bureaucratic waste".

The aim of a Scottish human rights commission would be to ensure the human rights of people in Scotland were protected in law, policy and practice.

The watchdog would have the power to investigate public bodies to ensure their compliance.

The executive's bill was drafted following consultations in 2001 and 2003.