UPDATE: The Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, has now responded to the Highland Council following the motion that was passed at our last meeting. You can read the response in full here.

The debate about the permanent carrying of weapons by police officers in the Highlands continues. Following the decision by Highland councillors to ask Police Scotland to review the standing authority, which allows officers to carry arms in public, my colleague Councillor Drew Millar who is chairman of the committee scrutinising the work of the police wrote to the chairman of the police authority. This is the response received: Response from Chairman of Scottish Police Authority