The Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill has issued the following statmement in response to the review of criminal law published today by Lord Carloway.

"I am grateful to Lord Carloway for this weighty and authoritative review which takes a long-term view on our criminal justice system and how it can be reformed and improved for Scottish citizens.

"Following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the Cadder case last year, we immediately passed emergency legislation to protect the victims of crime and make sure our police could continue to investigate crime effectively. In addition to the emergency legislation, the Lord Advocate also acted early to protect live cases ahead of the Cadder ruling.

"We continue to work closely with our criminal justice partners to ensure that Scotland has a modern robust justice system fit for the 21st century. I am grateful for the committed engagement of police, prosecutors and defence agents in implementing the necessary changes to date.

"The Carloway Review builds upon the actions we took last October and will frame longer term reform. The recommendations are far reaching and, while respectful to traditional systems that have served us well over centuries, seek to reshape and respond to present-day obligations and expectations.

"The Carloway Review is very welcome; it gives us considered advice on how we ensure our justice system continues to cope with unprecedented pressures and offers long lasting solutions to some of the challenges we face. I look forward to considering these significant recommendations in detail as a basis of making further and wide reaching improvements to Scotland's distinct justice system."