There will be no review into armed police officers attending routine incidents, Scotland’s Justice Secretary has announced.
Kenny MacAskill was branded “hollow” for not scrutinising the controversial policy more heavily, which was brought into force without parliament being informed.
A pledge was made that any regular increase in the number of armed officers to more than 2% would see the Justice Secretary and Scottish Police Authority, the force’s watchdog, notified.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said: “The Justice Secretary’s hollow statement on armed policing reassured no one.
“He should have explained the decision to deploy overtly armed officers on routine duties on a daily basis.
“It stretches credibility to ask us to believe that the threats and risks across Scotland are exactly the same everywhere.”
Scottish Labour justice spokesman and former police officer Graeme Pearson said: “I am shocked and dismayed at the cabinet secretary’s indifferent attitude towards this fundamental change to the nature of policing.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: “The fact that hundreds of police officers are carrying firearms while responding to everyday duties is deeply disturbing for the public.
“These fears have been heightened by the unacceptable lack of transparency and accountability in decision making by Police Scotland on this issue in particular.”
Mr MacAskill stressed just 1.6% of officers were armed during a statement to Parliament but insisted such decisions were for the chief constable.
“This is an operational matter for Police Scotland,” he said. “That is how it was for the inception of Police Scotland and that is how it remains.”
There was further controversy as the statement was only delivered to opposition parties just moments before Mr MacAskill spoke.
Convention is for an hour’s preparation time to be given and sources told The Courier that, when approached by parliamentary officials, government strategists said drafting was still taking place.
Mr MacAskill denied that was the case but said he did not know the reason for the delay as he issued an apology.