Scottish Conservatives raise concerns for further Aberdeenshire court closures and cuts after recent SNP justice budget meeting
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Local conservative MPs and MSPs have warned against further court closures in the north east in the wake of the Scottish Government's justice committee meetings.
The warning came as Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service bosses announced they must find ways to save up to £30 million over the next four years.
At a Justice Committee meeting to discuss budget plans for the next two years, the committee heard that closing three or four court buildings would help to release money back to the government.
Other money saving measures considered were creating 180 redundancies and cutting all court business by one day a week.
However, Conservative politicians in the area have declared a "hands off" message over more cuts in Aberdeenshire.
North East MSP Liam Kerr pointed to the fates of Stonehaven and Arbroath sheriff courts in 2014.
Urging further investment to courts still caught in a case backlog, he pointed to a £280,000 repairs backlog at Peterhead and £30,000 cell relocation at Forfar as part of a £7.3m repair bill hanging over from last year.
Mr Kerr said: "The court estate is crumbling under the SNP government, so much so that repairs across Scotland almost swallowed up the entire capital budget in 2022.
"Now, bosses are being asked to do more with even less.
"Our local justice can't fall victim to savage budget cuts.
"That would harm any progress in clearing the justice backlog, let down victims of crime, and add even more miles to travel for witnesses, staff and accused."
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie MP also spoke of the lasting impact of Stonehaven's closure. Adding:
"I remember vividly the work the late Alex Johnstone did with local lawyers, throwing the kitchen sink at keeping Stonehaven open.
"Ultimately their compelling case fell at the Scottish Parliament. But Stonehaven's closure has undoubtedly had a lasting impact on the Mearns, making justice seem more remote than it should be.
"There was a strong and adverse public reaction against the closure of Stonehaven.
"They will not thole any more cuts here."
