§ 22. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon) (Lab)If she will make a statement on her policy towards prosecution of anti-Semitic hate crimes. [169199]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIn July last year, the Crown Prosecution Service published its new policy and guidance for prosecutors on cases of racist and religious crime.
§ Mr. DismoreFirst, I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your good sense in lifting the subjudice rule to allow me to ask a question about Abu Hamza. For once, we have some good sense on that issue.
1004 Why, when there is such overwhelming evidence of incitement to race hatred, violence and support for terrorism by such people as Abu Hamza and Omar Bakri Mohamed, has no prosecution taken place? If newspapers such as The Sun can mount highly effective investigations to produce the evidence that would justify prosecution—and, I believe, conviction—why cannot the police and the CPS do the same?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralA file from the police is with the Crown Prosecution Service at the moment. I cannot say more about that case at this stage, although I appreciate what my hon. Friend says about Mr. Speaker having lifted the sub judice rule. My hon. Friend will be aware that the CPS is independent, and when it is actively considering a case such as this, it would be wrong of me to pre-empt or prejudice any decision about to be made. I do not think that the House would thank me for that.