Clause 81 - ''Bad character''
Criminal Justice Bill
9:10 am
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking, Conservative)
I shall speak to amendments Nos. 361, 363 and 395. I echo the words of the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) in saying that we have got off on the wrong foot. We are dealing with the issue of a defendant's character—a very important issue indeed. It is worth pointing out that the current system has not worked badly, and that there is no great cry from any who speak with authority for the widening of the scheme that the Bill would impose.