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Philip Sim

BBC Scotland political reporter

MSPs have completed the amending stage of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.

Government amendments to cut controversial plans to hold more trials without juries were unanimously agreed.

However proposals from the Greens to strengthen protections for tenants from eviction were voted down.

And votes on cutting back government plans to extend deadlines for Freedom of Information requests came back tied despite all opposition parties backing them, meaning the amendments fell on the presiding officer’s casting vote.

The parliament will now move to the final debate on the bill before members vote it through.

Justice secretary amendment to remove trials without juries from bill

Holyrood Live

BBC Parliaments

Mr Yousaf says the government is working in a spirit of compromise and consensus and adds "we understand how vital the principle of trial by jury is".

The justice secretary says the proposal to have trials without juries is proportionate, but does not have the support of this chamber and he is aware of the concerns of the profession.

"Accordingly I intend to move an amendment at Stage 2 which will remove that section of the bill."