Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Deferred
Paragraph: 33
We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine...
Recommendation
We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. This review ought to address the issue of individuals canvassing for positive references, or putting pressure on people to give positive references (for example, by engaging in the peer pressuring behaviours which may be experienced in smaller communities, or coercion as a feature of domestic violence). This review should also address the options open to police when individuals change referees between application and renewal, and between subsequent renewals. While policy relating to the police is generally a devolved matter, the UK Government ought to be looking to share best practice with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.
Paragraph Reference:
33
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
With regard to the Committee’s recommendations around the review of referees in the firearms licensing process, it is worth noting that similar issues were raised by both the IOPC and in the Prevention of Future Deaths reports issued by the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon. You will see that we are now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.