The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben _320
EMERGENCY laws to prevent Liverpool gangsters walking free from court after a shock legal ruling cleared the Commons last night, as MPs were warned that hundreds of cases were at risk of collapsing.
The Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill is being rushed through so key witnesses facing intimidation can continue to give evidence behind a screen, in a disguised voice.
The legislation follows the recent Law Lords’ ruling that anonymous evidence breached a principle of English common law – that a defendant should be confronted by his accuser.
It sent shock waves through the government, which believes shielding witnesses is crucial to tackling gang culture, particularly in the ‘hot-spots’ of Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Manchester.
A £6m Old Bailey murder trial quickly collapsed and ministers warned that violent criminals would walk free if new laws were not in place within weeks.
The director of public prosecutions revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service had identified 580 cases that could be affected.
