Changes to Crown counsel team
17 Oct 05
John Beckett QC appointed principal advocate depute
Changes to the Crown counsel prosecution team have been announced.
John Beckett QC is to become principal advocate depute, having served as an advocate depute, senior advocate depute, and most recently assistant principal advocate depute.
Mr Beckett starts his new role on 1 January 2006, following the planned departure of the present principal advocate depute, Alan Turnbull QC, who leaves Crown Office on 31 December 2005 to return to private practice at the bar.
Dorothy Bain, a senior advocate depute, has been appointed as assistant principal advocate depute, also effective from 1 January 2006.
The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd said: "I would like to take this opportunity to pay personal tribute to the considerable contribution Alan has made in shaping the structure and working practices of the advocate depute team, and modernising the Crown's approach to the prosecution of serious crime. Alan has also prosecuted some of the most difficult and complex cases, including the Lockerbie trial and the cases of William Beggs, Nat Fraser and Luke Mitchell.
"While there is inevitably some sadness at the departure of such a talented prosecutor, there is also confidence that Alan leaves behind him a professional, dedicated team of Crown counsel."
Further advocate depute appointments will be announced later this year.