A Renfrewshire woman has launched a petition in the Scottish Parliament to change the law on post-mortem examinations, following the death of her brother in January.

Paul Mathieson, a 37-year-old father-of-one, suffered fatal injuries in Renfrew town centre on January 14, and died six days later in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow.

Five months later, the family has yet to be given permission to carry out funeral preparations because the current law in Scotland allows a body involved in a potential murder case to be kept until it has been examined by the defence.

Amanda Digby, 36, is calling for legislation to be changed to allow an independent post-mortem examination to take place, allowing the body to be returned to grieving families as soon as possible.

She said: “I don’t want other families to go through the same thing and to suffer like we have.

“Within a few weeks of Paul’s death, we had become aware it was going to be a long time before we would be able to start funeral arrangement and finally get some closure.

“I understand why there is a need for a defence, but I don’t understand why the law is so different in Scotland than other countries.”

This would bring the law in Scotland in line with England and Wales, where a coroner will arrange for an independent post-mortem if no arrest has been made within 28 days.

Political figures from across the spectrum have come out in support of Amanda’s petition.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “The impact and consequences of losing a loved one are severe and heart-breaking and we should be doing everything we can to bring some sort of comfort to the family and friends of those who are grieving.

“I am fully supportive of Amanda’s petition that calls for arrangements that will allow for the bodies of loved ones to be released as early as possible so family members can make funeral plans.”

Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, added: “This is a heartbreaking case.

"The system has clearly failed the petitioner and their experience will no doubt not be unique across Scotland.

“Any action that can be taken to reduce the distress suffered by victims’ families should be looked at closely by the Government.

“If there are sensible reforms to the post-mortem process available that work well elsewhere, these should be implemented.”

Details can be found at parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01699