Scotland's First Minister John Swinney vows personal leadership on domestic abuse after two murders

First Minister John Swinney said he will give his "strongest personal leadership" to tackling male violence against women after two recent killings. On July 20, 44‑year‑old Vikki Soloman was fatally stabbed in her Edinburgh home; her ex‑partner Lee Greenan was arrested and later found dead in his cell. A week later, 35‑year‑old Stacy Mair was murdered in Renfrewshire, with her husband Jim Mair discovered dead at the scene. Swinney met domestic‑abuse survivor Danielle MacDonald at Bute House, noting that the systems meant to protect women had failed and urging cultural change. He highlighted that domestic homicide in Scotland has risen from six to twelve deaths in a year. New legal provisions to protect the housing of abuse victims came into force on the same day.