The most senior legal figures in Scotland will gather to debate knife crime following a campaign by a father whose son was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack.

The most senior legal figures in Scotland will gather to debate knife crime following a campaign by a father whose son was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack.

John Muir, who is nominated for Campaigner of the Year at The Herald's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards tonight, took his petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for mandatory sentencing for knife-carrying.

The public petitions committee yesterday announced its plans for a debate to discuss the country's knife crime record and possible prevention measures in January.

The committee has invited Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, senior police officials, representatives from the Law Society and several anti-violence campaign groups, including Mothers Against Knives.

Mr Muir's son, Damian, 34, was killed in Greenock in July last year by a man on bail for four other serious charges, two involving weapons.

He told the committee: "Damian was stabbed eight times in a vile and frenzied unprovoked attack. His assailant later claimed Damian was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Damian was a law- abiding citizen making his way home from his football club's annual awards evening."

Barry Gavin, of Weir Street, Greenock, was jailed for life with a minimum 15-year term for the murder.

Mr Muir, from Inverkip in Renfrewshire, gathered 16,000 signatures in support of his petition, which he took to the parliament earlier this year.

Frank McAveety, petitions committee convener, said: "The issues raised by Mr Muir's petition are vitally important because sadly, they affect communities across Scotland. We want to create an opportunity for victims and their families, health workers and the police who all see the terrible consequences of knife crime to come together with policy makers, the legal profession and others to discuss knife crime.

"In some way, I hope that together we can develop and influence thinking and address key issues such as how effective the law is in tackling knife crime."

Following the debate, the petitions committee will sent a report to the Scottish Government to consider as part of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill.