Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 1:31 pm on 10 March 2004.

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Photo of David Lidington David Lidington Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1:31, 10 March 2004

I am an enough of a sceptic not to believe in golden ages. I do not argue that we should go back to the political arrangements that existed in Northern Ireland between 1921 and 1972. We want to move forward, but the examples that I cited refer to important judicial decisions in much more recent history. My point stands that I have heard no persuasive criticism of the current judicial appointments system, on the grounds that judges are either incompetent or partial. The only arguments to that effect that I have heard were made by people who have a considerable vested interest in undermining the judicial and criminal justice system.