Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
2:21 pm
Michael Ellis (Northampton North, Conservative)
At the moment, the magistrate would not have to look at any evidence, and the bold allegation, on the face of it, in and of itself, can be accepted and an arrest warrant will follow. This is an increased provision—we are referring to it as an increased provision to have a realistic prospect of conviction, but it actually just brings it on to an even keel with all the other laws in England does it not? Does the Crown Prosecution Service not have to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute for every other offence?