New top court could be televised

Published on Tuesday 3 February 2009 21:43

PROCEEDINGS in the UK's highest court are set to be televised, Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, told parliament yesterday.

The Supreme Court, which takes over legal duties from the House of Lords later this year, could allow in cameras to cover judgments.

But Mr Straw appeared to rule out US-style coverage of criminal trials, warning that they could cause more problems than they solved.

The Supreme Court will be housed in the Middlesex Guildhall, across Parliament Square from the Houses of Parliament.

Labour's David Kidney said the Director of the Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, supported allowing television cameras into courts in England and Wales to get "more openness".

Mr Kidney said: "Do you agree with me that we should let in the TV cameras so that we could open up the criminal justice system to a wider audience?"

Mr Straw said: replied: "I think there are slightly complicated issues when it comes to cameras in trial courts.

"The proceedings of the Law Lords at the point of judgment are already the subject of television. I think we will find that the proceedings of the Supreme Court, when it starts across the road in October this year, will also be the subject of televising."

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said Law Lords' judgments are read out in the House of Lords and covered by cameras in the House.