Witness law to be debated by MPs

Emergency legislation is being proposed following a Law Lords' ruling MPs are to debate emergency legislation to restore trial judges' powers to grant anonymity to witnesses. A Law Lords' ruling on 18 June that defendants needed to know who was testifying against them has already led to one £6m trial being halted. The legislation would clarify when a witness anonymity order can be granted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Law Society says the measure is being rushed and should only apply in the most serious cases. But Justice Secretary Jack Straw says the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill is designed to prevent trials from being delayed and more than 500 cases being adversely affected. Gang crimes Sir Ken McDonald QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, is set to give evidence on witness anonymity at a... [read full story]