Dear All
Is the right to a fair trial important?
I would say yes, no matter how distasteful the crime or the individuals concerned who are facing charges.
Human rights matter.
The expenses scandal has completely destroyed the integrity of the House of Commons.
That damage will take decades to repair if at all.
Three ex-Labour MPs David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Elliot Morley have been charged with fraud.
And judging by what is in the public domain they have a case to answer and that case must take place in a Court of Law.
The defence of the three ex-Labour MPs is novel as they want to try a legal trick of saying their case is covered by Parliamentary privilege.
It is but nice try to escape justice, no a Court of Law is the best place for them.
The next chapter in the saga is that they have applied for and received legal aid funding.
Straightaway the political parties have condemned this, Tory leader David Cameron said it was a "complete outrage" their costs were being covered while Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg branded it "incomprehensible".
Gordon Brown expressed a view, when he said;
"I think this money will have to be paid back by these politicians. I think the evidence is that people in their position will have to pay back the money - or most of the money - they get in legal aid.”
As I said, it is important that this trial goes forward so despise all the fake outrage the decision has been fairly applied.
This will upset people but we must remember that political interference with the processes of law is completely wrong.
If we give into emotion and do it to Chaytor, Morley and Devine, then we open the floodgates for the Government to do it to ordinary people.
And it is important that we ensure a fair trial not just legally but morally.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Is the right to a fair trial important?
I would say yes, no matter how distasteful the crime or the individuals concerned who are facing charges.
Human rights matter.
The expenses scandal has completely destroyed the integrity of the House of Commons.
That damage will take decades to repair if at all.
Three ex-Labour MPs David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Elliot Morley have been charged with fraud.
And judging by what is in the public domain they have a case to answer and that case must take place in a Court of Law.
The defence of the three ex-Labour MPs is novel as they want to try a legal trick of saying their case is covered by Parliamentary privilege.
It is but nice try to escape justice, no a Court of Law is the best place for them.
The next chapter in the saga is that they have applied for and received legal aid funding.
Straightaway the political parties have condemned this, Tory leader David Cameron said it was a "complete outrage" their costs were being covered while Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg branded it "incomprehensible".
Gordon Brown expressed a view, when he said;
"I think this money will have to be paid back by these politicians. I think the evidence is that people in their position will have to pay back the money - or most of the money - they get in legal aid.”
As I said, it is important that this trial goes forward so despise all the fake outrage the decision has been fairly applied.
This will upset people but we must remember that political interference with the processes of law is completely wrong.
If we give into emotion and do it to Chaytor, Morley and Devine, then we open the floodgates for the Government to do it to ordinary people.
And it is important that we ensure a fair trial not just legally but morally.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
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