Top judge's anger at MSP
1 Dec 04
Lord Nimmo Smith brands MSP's approach in tobacco case "reprehensible"
Court of Session judge Lord Nimmo Smith reacted angrily yesterday to interference from an MSP over his handling of a high profile case against Imperial Tobacco.
Labour's Allan Wilson had written to the judge asking why there had not been a ruling in the case of Margaret McTear who is suing the tobacco giants for £500,000 over the death of her husband Alfred.
However Lord Nimmo said that MSPs should not interfere in court cases and told the woman's QC, who had suggested she contact her MSP, that he would refer the matter to the Faculty of Advocates.
The proof in the case lasted three months and Lord Nimmo Smith has been working on his judgment since February. He said yesterday that he has so far written a quarter of a million words over 864 pages.
His other cases include the current Jodi Jones murder trial.