Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Henley (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 28 January 2010.

Attorney-General: Private Prosecutions

Question: My Lords, we are talking on this Question purely about private prosecutions being brought. Those private prosecutions, as we know, can do immense damage to our standing in the world. I am thinking of the recent occasion where a former Israeli Minister was unable to visit this country because of the threat of such a private prosecution. Could not the Government move somewhat more quickly in looking at the role of the Attorney-General and might it not have been possible for the Attorney-General herself to have answered this Question?

Answer: My Lords, the Government are very much seized of the event and its consequences. The Foreign Secretary said: ""We are determined to protect and develop these ties … Israeli leaders—like leaders from other countries—must be able to visit and have a proper dialogue with the British Government"." It is the Government’s wish that those things can take place. Nevertheless, we have this relatively unique private prosecution in UK law; it is in the same form only in Australia and New Zealand. We need to look at its role. There are these three things to look at together: universal jurisdiction, the matter of the leaders and private prosecution. Those three coming together do not make this a simple problem, which is why it is taking some time. The Government are seized of the need to address this with urgency.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 716 c1519-20
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Attorney General Private prosecutions Politicians European arrest warrants
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk