ONE of Scotland's most senior judges denied claims that controversial plans to axe the requirement for corroboration in criminal cases are being "steamrollered" through Holyrood.
Lord Carloway said the centuries-old requirement for evidence in court cases to come from two sources was "archaic" and was "holding the criminal justice system back".
He insisted the need for corroboration did not result in Scotland having fewer miscarriages of justice than other countries which do not have this requirement.
He also suggested to MSPs on Holyrood's Justice Committee that abolishing the requirement could result in more cases being prosecuted in the courts.
Lord Carloway said: "Fundamentally the reason why I have recommended the change in relation to corroboration is that Scotland is the only country in the civilised world that has a rule requiring corroboration."
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