Clause 63 - Application to Court of Appeal
Criminal Justice Bill
5:30 pm
Mr Hilary Benn (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Leeds Central, Labour)
I will have to reflect on the hon. Gentleman's second question. In response to the first, he is right to identify the fact that the DPP is required to apply a different test but it is for that reason that these are very special circumstances. There is no conflict. In relation to the public interest test among other things the DPP will still have to consider whether there is the possibility of a fair trial. As to the point raised by this probing amendment, if I have not satisfied the hon. Member for North Down, I hope that I have satisfied the other hon. Members who spoke that the DPP will give consideration to the matter.