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Written question asked by Lord Tebbit (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith (Labour) on Monday, 16 April 2007.


Director of Public Prosecutions

Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Goldsmith on 14 March (WA 126), what level or number of criminal convictions would be a barrier to appointment to the post of Director of Public Prosecutions.
Answer

Appointment to the post of Director of Public Prosecutions depends on a consideration of all relevant factors concerning the qualification, experience, skills and personal characteristics of applicants and their overall suitability for this post. The person appointed must be a qualified lawyer with rights of audience, so any conviction resulting in the withdrawal of such rights would be a complete bar to appointment. Whilst there is otherwise no formal bar to appointment based on a particular number or type of previous convictions, the fact of any such convictions, their age, nature, seriousness and circumstances would have to be carefully assessed to determine whether a particular applicant, even if otherwise the strongest candidate, should in fact not be appointed.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2944; 691 c12WA
Session
2006-07
Related items
Director of Public Prosecutions
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Criminal records Crown Prosecution Service Public appointments
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk