Scotland’s justice secretary will finally make a statement on the report into the death of schoolboy Bailey Gwynne – three months after the findings were published.
Pressure had been mounting on Michael Matheson to respond to Andrew Lowe’s report on the tragedy since it was published in October.
The child protection expert called on the Scottish Government to take action in a number of key areas after the Cults Academy schoolboy was stabbed to death by a fellow pupil last year.
In his review, Mr Lowe asked ministers to consider tightening up the laws around online weapons sales and giving teachers the power to search pupils.
A number of recommendations for Aberdeen City Council, including anti-weapons classes for pupils, have already been acted on.
It was agreed last night that the Scottish Government would make a statement on the report next week.
North-east MSP Ross Thomson, who has repeatedly called on the SNP administration to respond to Mr Lowe’s report, said: “This has been a long time coming, but I am pleased that we will finally hear a response from the Scottish Government to the Bailey Gwynne case review.
“It is more than three months since the findings were published, and parents and teachers have a right to know what action ministers propose to take.
“There were clear recommendations to tighten up laws governing the online sale of knives and other weapons and on powers for teachers to search pupils suspected of being armed.
“The government must do all it can to avoid a repeat of the tragic events in Cults and I think that new measures to improve safety in schools would be welcomed by many parents across the country.”
Bailey, 16, was stabbed to death during a fight over a biscuit in a school corridor in October 2015.
His killer, also aged 16. was convicted of culpable homicide and detained for nine years.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “There will be a statement in the Scottish Parliament next week on the recommendations to the Scottish Government by the report into the death of Bailey Gwynne.”
