Nicola Sturgeon and acting Tory leader Jackson Carlaw clashed over sending serious criminals to jail for the rest of their lives.

Acting Tory leader, Jackson Carlaw, called on the Scottish Government to back a Tory Bill on whole life sentencing.

Nicola Sturgeon however, said that the most serious criminals can be kept in jail for the rest of their life.

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Mr Carlaw said “Many people are released who shouldn’t be. The public need a guarantee, if the crime is serious enough, no parole no release.”

Ms Sturgeon however said that it is possible for an offender to be given a sentence that extends to the rest of their life.

She said: “It is open to the court, if it considers it necessary, to impose a sentence that would span the rest of their natural life. It is a power that courts already have.

“It is right that the most serious offenders go to prison for a lengthy time.”

Mr Carlaw however did not accept it was a power that courts have and he continued.

He said: “Rapists, murderers and paedophiles destroy lives. I urge the First Minister to support whole life sentencing to give victims the justice they deserve.”

Ms Sturgeon said she understood the concerns of victims but she said that punishment part of sentences were set and it was not automatic that offenders would be released when that term has been served.

She added: “It is for the parole board to assess the risk to the public.”