The Scottish Government says it will not make changes to the police watchdog body until after any investigation in which investigators fell they did not have sufficient power at the time.
It comes amid claims the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) doesn't have the strength to hold Police Scotland to account in serious cases, such as Sheku Bayoh's death in custody.
The father of two from Kirkcaldy died following an incident attended by nine police officers and two CID, yet officers involved did not agree to give evidence to PIRC's investigation until five weeks after the 31 year old's death.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker says that a regulation relating to PIRC's powers does not apply if a police officer could be charged with a criminal complaint:
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson officers have all the same powers as police constables, such as detention or arrest and seizing documents and other evidence. He added that PIRC has not raised any concerns about its ongoing investigation.
Mr Matheson said that that applies on a "case by case" basis:
Here is the full parliamentary exchange between Mrs Baker and Mr Matheson, including a statement by Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP:
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