§ 53. Mr. Dubsasked the Attorney-General if has yet made a decision regarding possible proceedings for contempt of court in relation to the publication by some of the media of premature reports concerning an out-of-court settlement in the British Broadcasting Corporation libel case; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSince the conclusion of the proceedings, I have received a letter from the trial judge setting out the aspects of the media coverage which caused him concern. Officials have procured copies of the relevant material, which I have considered with the benefit of advice from Treasury counsel. It is clear that certain factual inquiries need to be made before a final decision is taken as to the institution of proceedings for contempt. Those inquiries are now in hand.
§ Mr. DubsDoes the Attorney-General agree that there are many disturbing features about this case and that there is a widespread sense of disquiet, both about the media coverage and about many other aspects of it? Will the Attorney-General examine the circumstances of this case rather more widely? If he does not do so, many people will feel that justice was certainly not done.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am concerned principally with the media coverage, because that is under my responsibility. 1 must tell the hon. Member that before I received the letter from the judge I had already asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to start an inquiry.
§ Mr. AshbyHas my right hon. and learned Friend heard of the new phrase, to "Panorama" somebody? Is it not the case that there was no intimidation of witnesses, but that the BBC had an absolutely hopeless case—that is what the matter is about—and it has been trying to "Panorama" its own settlement?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIf there really is any evidence of intimidation of witnesses, I just wish that it could be made available. [Interruption.] As I said in an answer to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours), who keeps interrupting me, the only document that he has provided to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is Mr. Pedley's wretched letter.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursDoes the Attorney-General not recognise that Mr. Christopher Hayward, the Dorset county councillor, was nobbled by an official at Conservative Central Office? Does he not understand that there is a tape in existence which will prove that, that it will surface inevitably, and that when it does we shall look to the right hon. and learned Gentleman to ensure that there are prosecutions?
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhat the hon. Gentleman is doing yet again is using the privilege of the House to make allegations in respect of which he has no evidence of any kind.