'No guarantee' teen who killed bus driver will have free travel pass removed

The Scottish Government “cannot guarantee” that a teenager who killed a bus driver will have his free pass removed when he is released.

The teenager, who was sentenced to four years and four months in custody, could be freed within weeks after two years in secure accommodation.

The SNP is backing legislation – known as an SSI – to strip young people of their free bus passes if they engage in anti-social behaviour.

At the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on Tuesday morning, the minister for agriculture and connectivity was asked if the law would prevent driver Keith Rollinson’s killer on buses again.

Jim Fairlie said he could not comment on individual cases.

Asked whether it would apply in general to people who have been convicted of killing bus drivers who are then released, Fairlie said the SSI was about “anti-social behaviour going forward, not something that has happened in the past”.

Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden said it was “shameful” that the SNP minister couldn’t guarantee that the boy who killed Mr Rollinson would be stripped of his free bus pass.

“This vile killer, who received a shockingly short sentence and hasn’t even gone to prison, shouldn’t be allowed to get on a bus for free,” he said.

“It’s an affront to Keith’s widow, Sue, who is still fighting for justice after the loss of her husband.”

Fairlie said he thought questions about the death of Mr Rollinson were “inappropriate” and “disrespectful”.

“I’m finding this really distasteful that we’re discussing an SSI about anti-social behaviour going forward, not something that has happened in the past.

“I cannot give guarantees on anything in terms of Mr Rollinson’s position and would really would rather not be discussing Mr Rollinson’s position.”

The child in question – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was sentenced to four years and four months in custody, and could be out after serving two years.