Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain to step down

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain is to step down after five years, it has been confirmed.

Bain, the country’s most senior law officer, has told the first minister she intends to leave office, the Scottish Government said.

Her departure will mean change at the top of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and also of the chief legal adviser to the Scottish Government.

While there have been calls from critics to split the dual role, no such plans have been advanced.

Fresh government appointments are expected in the coming days, following the Scottish Parliament election. This will begin with the appointment of a first minister for session seven.

Bain became lord advocate in 2021, having been nominated for the post by then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Her tenure has included reform to the rules governing the use of evidence in sexual offences cases.

It has also seen embezzlement charges brought against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, Sturgeon’s estranged husband.

The case has yet to begin and there was criticism of Bain after it emerged that she had informed First Minister John Swinney about the charges and probable timeframe for it reaching court.

The Scottish Government said: “A new lord advocate will be appointed as part of the process of the formation of the new government.

“The first minister has extended his thanks to the lord advocate for her dedication and public service.”