Holyrood 469 / 21 June 2021

Seeking justice: Exclusive interview with Roddy Dunlop on ‘not proven’ and the line between law and politics. Also Political Spotlight: How COVID is here to stay; Preventing harm: The Christie Commission 10 years on; and Doctor in the house: Interview with MSP Sandesh Gulhane.

3 Editor’s note
I have said it before and will say it again, being taken into care has one meaningful purpose and that is to make a child’s life better, not worse

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

6 Talking point
Sharing the vaccines for the common good

8 In context
A look at the UK-Australia trade deal

10 Political Spotlight: Case for pessimism
The easing of COVID restrictions has been delayed again. Is this one last heave or life in the new normal?

12 Overview: Christie Commission
A decade on from the Christie Commission, have we seen the reform of public service delivery it called for?

16 Comment: Carers’ Week
Unpaid carers don’t want awareness raising and gratitude, they want action and real support

18 Interview: Sandesh Gulhane
The newly elected Scottish Conservative MSP on being a frontline doctor and voice for the NHS in parliament

21 Feature: Father’s Day
Kirsty, the Holyrood baby, has just turned five, but up until now her dad has hardly even been mentioned

24 Cover story: Roddy Dunlop
The QC on reforming the justice system and having his legal advice published during the Salmond affair

28 Getting to know you
You’ll regret leaving a box of Jaffa Cakes near Paul McLennan

30 Comment
Why using experts to inform policy is a good use of their abilities

32 Politicians’ pets
Emma Roddick MSP and her cat, Blue

32 Diary
Holy journalists, ‘hopeless’ health secretaries and Humza’s hospital garb

33 Life stories
Maree Todd on her love of literature and the book all MSPs should read

34 Last Word
History and science lessons overseen by Headmaster Kerr

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