Should the law prevent the Prime Minister from publicly labelling defendants in ways that risk prejudicing their trial?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently labelled anti-migrant activist Danny Tommo a racist during a BBC interview while Tommo awaited trial on criminal damage charges related to migrant protest activity. The Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor had warned against public comments on the case to avoid swaying the jury. UK sub judice rules and contempt of court law already restrict publications or statements that create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active legal proceedings.
6 Opinions
Yes. And indeed the PM, other politicians, journalists and members of the public are already liable for contempt of court for doing so. We don’t need a new law, just the existing law enforced against miscreants, which prima facie appears to potentially include the PM in this instance.
If an ordinary journalist or podcaster had pulled this stunt after the CPS explicitly warned against it, they’d be staring down a contempt of court charge...
There are already protections in place and the prime ministers own right of opinion and association should be assured alongside every citizen's
It should, the act is called Contempt of Court Act 1981. But law is only for weak and poor.
It’s just an objective statement of fact. And his obvious racism isn’t why he’s currently in prison awaiting trial.
Enforce existing laws. He shouldn't have commented.