Why Not Abolish The Home Office?

That would seem a reasonable conclusion from the findings of REFORM latest report which labels the UK's centralised justice system as expensive and ineffective. Violent crime has increased from 8 per cent of all recorded crime in 1997 to 20 per cent in 2007/08 and British people are more worried about crime and violence with 43 percent reporting it as one of their greatest concerns compared to 21 percent in Germany and 27 percent in the US.

London Mayoralty Issues

I am encouraged that many of the Conservative candidates for the London mayoralty primary have placed emphasis on law and order. Given that Lee Rotherham's thoughts on these matters are the most developed I think it's a real pity that he hasn't made the final six.

Policy plagiarism between fellow Conservatives is to be encouraged and so I hope that the other candidates read Lee's well researched article on his website and pick up some of his ideas. I'm sure he'd be happy to share his experiences and assist them with developing policy in this area.

Goldsmith Goes

I am delighted at the news that Lord Goldsmith is to step down next week. I hope that he had no involvement in the "cash for peerages" investigation, but thanks nonetheless to those who signed this 10 Downing Street petition. In my opinion, he should have left a long time ago, but his compromised position stems from institutional weaknesses that still need to be tackled.

The notion that investigations or prosecutions can be stopped "in the public interest" is questionable, (I support the idea that rule of law should operate without fear or favour) but this power certainly shouldn't be concentrated in an individual who sits at the Cabinet table.

Reid Hit & Run

Some more fascinating insights from the corridors of power from the excellent Benedict Brogan. As his departure looms, is the Home Office any less of a mess than when John Reid took over a year ago?

My First 10 Downing Street Petition

When the police passed their files to the CPS on Friday containing allegations thought to relate to the 1925 Honours Act and perverting the course of justice, sensible commentators called for Lord Goldsmith to stand aside due to his numerous conflicts of interest. Blogged here and here. Over the weekend, Lord Goldsmith made it clear he has no intention to do so.



I have presented the above petition (click to enlarge) to the number 10 team for approval and will let you know if/when this goes live. It will be called the seentobedone petition as justice must be seen to be done. Other ideas to force the government's hand are of course welcomed. Go to comments box with your suggestions.

Stand Aside Lord Goldsmith

One aspect of government that all its citizens are subject to are the laws of the land enforced by the criminal justice system. If there is a lack of public confidence in the fairness of this system, respect for the bodies supposed to be managing law and order is lost and law and order itself may be undermined.

A conflict of interest is when someone in a position of trust has competing professional and/or personal interests. In the case of the legal system, where it is the public's confidence that is at risk, a perceived conflict of interest is just as important as an actual conflict of interest. This underlies the maxim that not only must justice be done but it must be seen to be done. This principle applies at all levels of the legal system. It is why the juror who mentions any connection with the defendant will probably be asked to stand down at a criminal trial.

This is all pretty standard stuff, so WHY THE HELL DOES IT NEED SPELLING OUT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL LORD GOLDSMITH THAT HE SHOULD STAND ASIDE?

Please feel free to add to this list of his conflicts of interest on the "Loans for Peerages" case passed to the CPS.

1. Goldsmith was appointed by Tony Blair who has been questioned in respect of this case.
2. Goldsmith has donated to the Labour Party. The case passed to the CPS is likely to have significant financial ramifications on that organisation.
3. The case passed to the CPS relates to entrance to an elite club of which Goldsmith is a member (The House Of Lords).
4. Said lordship was handed to Goldsmith by Tony Blair.
5. The Grauniad reported that Blair has influenced Goldsmith in the past.

Convinced yet? Some might say that his personal indiscretions and professional prevarications make Goldsmith generally unsuitable for his current role. Hat tip Iain Dale.

Note - the US Attorney Genera, Alberto Gonzales is coming under far greater pressure to go.

Rough Justice For Daniel Coffill And Family

Regular readers may think that some of my posts are jocular. Indeed some are. This one isn’t. The reason a section of my blogroll is devoted to law and order is because I care about it. I’ve met pensioners afraid to leave their home for (justifiable) fear of being mugged and I despise that situation. The following comment was made on a national newspaper’s website – no link exists because the comment was spiked. The comment relates to the Daniel Coffill case about which I blogged a few days ago.

"I was a juror at this trial. It was an enlightening and worrying awakening of how our system works. Jurors were loathe to leave the court buildings during the trial, as the defendant's friends and family were hanging around outside. At the end of the trial when the defendants were found guilty the judge told the jury that the two defendants weren't going to be sentenced, as they had harassed the two witnesses during the trial while they were walking to the station!

As a result, the two were put into custody awaiting a further trial and sentencing. I spoke to the court usher at the time and asked him what sentence he expected the boys to eventually get. He said they would get at least double figures, as now the effect the crime has on the victim's family is taken into account. To hear their sentence was so short in the first place is wrong but to have it shortened further is unbelievable.. The whole system is a mockery

These lads, and their families, even during the trial, had no respect for the courts or their judgment. One of the defendants 'slow hand clapped' the jurors as we left. As a result of intimidation, we were escorted out via a 'secret' exit from the court to avoid any confrontation.

Since this jury service I have repeatedly thought about Daniel Coffill and his family caring for him - such a tragedy. These two should not be out on the streets. They took no notice of authority even when on trial. I wish to remain anonymous as I don't want to come face to face with any of them if they are to be out so soon."

I’ve emboldened what I consider the most sickening elements of the juror’s quotes. Is this the sort of criminal justice system we deserve? Let’s hear your thoughts.

Update

Just got a link from the excellent Inspector Gadget who has been covering this case in more detail.

Update Two

People are welcome to delve into my archives to uncover factual inaccuracies. Hint - there have been two minor errors that I have needed to correct. I don't have a track record of lying on my blog. Off topic comments on this thread (i.e. calling me a liar) will be considered trolling and will be deleted.