Clause 5 - The offence
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill [Lords]
3:45 pm
Mr David Heath (Shadow Minister (Home Affairs), Home Affairs; Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
That is my view. Notwithstanding all the difficulties in the court's interpretation and the details of statute, which I accept, something needs to be addressed that the Government are failing to address, albeit not through intent, because I accept that the problem is difficult. However, I hope that more, careful thought will be given to the issue. I perceive a danger, in that we are closing one loophole but leaving another one open. That loophole may have a profoundly unsatisfactory consequence. Somebody who, but for the grace of God, would have committed murder, might nevertheless be allowed to go free because there is not the mechanism to apply any of the other potential offences.