Labourhome (Free subscription) | 08/07/2008
I can do no better than cite the excellent article on anonymous witnesses by Geoffrey Robertson QC , published in today's Guardian. Robertson points out that we did not allow anonymous witnesses during the Kray-Richardson gang era, nor in Northern Ireland during the troubles. He also observes that anonymous witnesses were used by the Star Chamber, which came to be detested by the people, and which...
Travelling Punk (Free subscription) | 08/07/2008
The Guardian reports today on the witness anonymity bill , a bill that if accepted will mean all witness in criminal trials have the right to anonymity, granted by a judge, if they can show a "harm to the public interest" if their names are made public. I can envisage only a small number of criminal trails at which anonymity for witnesses could be a good idea, for example trials for rape. It's well...
janestheone (Free subscription) | 08/07/2008
I am inclined to agree with Geoffrey Robertson writing today on the witness anonymity bill, that it opens the way to cover-ups of dubious practice, or even torture, by police or others, and also to malicious cases being brought and heard. The adversarial principle seems to be important. But I am open to argument. What do readers think?
Indigo Jo Blogs (Free subscription) | 08/07/2008
Geoffrey Robertson: There can be no fair trials with this perjurer's charter (from the Guardian today) Geoffrey Robertson QC (a senior British lawyer, with an interest in human rights and anti-censorship issues) on the bill going through Parliament right now,...
