The prison population on remand in Scotland has gone from 16 per cent to 27 per cent – an increase described as “unfathomable” by Emma Jardine of Howard League Scotland.

She told the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee yesterday that the Scottish government’s plans to increase remand periods were a “necessary evil”.

Under the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill, the time limits would be extended by 100 days.

Ms Jardine backed the proposal because of the criminal backlog in the courts but warned of the human rights implications.

She said: “We are in danger of breaching Article 6: ‘everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time’.

“There are serious human rights safeguards being called into question by this.”