Courts in disarray over witness ruling

Published on Tuesday 24 June 2008 22:46

COURT witnesses are to face fresh legal protection after a £6 million trial was stopped yesterday because of a "catastrophic" legal ruling.

Officials in Westminster were trying to clear space in the parliamentary timetable so legislation could be pushed through before the summer recess.

The Old Bailey murder trial was halted following last week's Law Lords decision that defendants have a right to know who is giving evidence against them.

The two-month case of Douglas Johnson, 27, and David Austin, 41, for the murder of east London businessman Charles Butler, 50, was the first casualty of the ruling.

Four witnesses had given evidence anonymously, but the House of Lords decision to allow an appeal in another murder trial means it is now illegal.

Dozens of cases in England are being reviewed before they go to trial. And cases where defendants were convicted after witnesses gave evidence from behind screens are likely to be appealed.

Police headed the call for emergency legislation.

Former Surrey chief constable Bob Quick, now head of Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command, said: "This needs resolving. The implications for the fight against organised crime and terrorism are serious. It's catastrophic."

A Scottish Government spokesman last night said officials would examine whether there was a need to introduce legislation north of the Border.