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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

I completely accept that statement. Our contention—I say ““our”” because I assume that the noble Lords, Lord Thomas of Gresford and Lord Lester of Herne Hill, would agree with what I am about to say—is that the equality of arms would break down if subsection (1B) of government Amendment No. 2A were to go on the statute book—because of the obligation of the defendant in those circumstances to, in effect, reveal his identity to the prosecutor. That is the point at issue and is the basis for the proposals that all three of us have made in our amendments introducing an independent counsel.