CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
Society

MPs say Attorney General's role needs to be split

Posted: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 16:24 (BST)
Font Scale:A A A

A committee of MPs called on Tuesday for the political and legal roles performed by the Attorney General to be split, saying the government's reform proposals did not go far enough in restoring public confidence.

The job of the Attorney General, the government's top lawyer, has been called into question following a number of high profile cases where critics said the dual role of minister and legal adviser had come into conflict.

The advice given by former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith on the legality of the Iraq war and the decision to order the Serious Fraud Office to end its probe into an arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia led to calls for an overhaul.

Goldsmith also faced controversy over the police cash-for-honours inquiry when declined to step aside from any involvement even though he could have been in the position of deciding whether any Downing Street aides should face prosecution.

However, the Justice Committee said the government's draft constitutional reform bill would not provide greater accountability.

"The draft bill fails to achieve the purpose given to constitutional reform by the Prime Minister," the committee's report said, adding it would actually give greater power to the government while failing to add to transparency.

"The main problem with maintaining public confidence in the office of the Attorney General arises from combining the functions of legal adviser with ministerial functions.

"We believe that transparency requires separating the political functions of the Attorney General from the legal functions."

The report also said that the Attorney General, currently Baroness Scotland, should also not have the right to end Serious Fraud Office investigations.



© Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Have your say on this article
Christian Aid Christmas
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
Methodist Insurance
World Headline
Pro-family group ends McDonald's boycott

Pro-family group ends McDonald's boycott

Pro-family groups this week lauded the recent decision by McDonald’s to no longer support the efforts of activists...
Sponsored Features
The independent Christian Bank providing competitive Personal and Church Savings, Church Mortgages and Church Insurance. Friendly printing company for churches, charities and businesses nationwide! Professional website design and web development for businesses and charities
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here