HC Deb 23 February 1888 vol 322 cc1226-7
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether a letter has been received from Mr. J. C. Blake, resigning his post as Crown Solicitor, on the grounds, as stated by him, that— The nature of the procedure under the Crimes Act seems to me to deprive the Crown Prosecutor of any discretion in discriminating between the innocent and the guilty, while the tribunal before which he would have to act appears scarcely to have the independence that, in my judgment, ought to characterize any Court entrusted with the liberties of the people. Moreover, I apprehend that, in addition to these objections, the class of prosecutions that I should be expected to conduct would be mainly directed against the political adversaries of the Government. I have never been an active politician, and I strongly object to have any share in such prosecutions, which were never contemplated at the time of my appointment 16 years ago.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)

Yes, Sir; a letter was received four months ago by the then Attorney General for Ireland.