Legislation which will abolish the unique not proven verdict in Scotland’s courts has been passed at Holyrood .

The scrapping of the third verdict – which dates back to the 17th century – is one of a number of measures in wide-ranging legislation which seeks to reform Scotland’s justice system.

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill – which was passed by 71 votes to 46 with one abstention on Wednesday – would make “fundamental and meaningful changes” to the system.

The most controversial proposal however, for cases of rape and attempted rape to be tried before a judge rather than by a jury, was dropped from the Bill by the Scottish Government after an outcry from lawyers.

Despite the removal of that measure,

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