Bid to amend anonymous evidence law

12 April 2012

An "urgent" change in the law is being considered to allow anonymous witness evidence to be taken in court, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said.

There are fears that scores of murderers and serious criminals could walk free from jail after a Law Lords ruling that defendants have a right to know the identity of witnesses testifying against them.

John Yates, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, described the judgment as "potentially disastrous" and predicted it would prompt a series of appeals by dangerous convicts.

His warning came after Iain Davis' double murder conviction was quashed this week by the Law Lords, who said it would never have been achieved without anonymous evidence.

Mr Yates told the Daily Telegraph: "This is potentially disastrous.

"A lot of good work being undone, and this will play out so badly in terms of those we are trying to reach out to in communities. It almost feels like we have broken our word. To see clearly guilty people walking free is just awful.

"Special measures are only used in the most extreme cases, which means these are our most dangerous criminals, people who have been jailed for up to 40 years. And they could be walking free."

But Mr Straw indicated on Saturday he could put anonymous evidence on a statutory footing before December's Queen's Speech. "I'm looking at this as we speak," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"Ever since this judgment on Wednesday this has been my major preoccupation, to ensure that we are able to change the law as quickly as possible."

The Government has already announced plans for a Bill introducing a statutory base for anonymous evidence - where witness intimidation is an issue - during the next session of Parliament. But he said that would "almost certainly" be too long, adding: "I'm looking at this very urgently indeed."

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