§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Attorney-General if he will detail the procedures used by the Crown prosecution service to determine the charges brought in the case of the death of Ashley Gardiner.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe charges brought against Mark Wenham were formulated by the branch Crown prosecutor after careful consideration of a full and detailed report submitted by the Merseyside police. He preferred the charges with the full knowledge and approval of his chief Crown prosecutor. I am satisfied that, in the circumstances of this sad case, no other charge was available.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Attorney-General if he will give the reasons why the Crown prosecution service did not bring a charge of causing death by reckless driving in the case of the death of Ashley Gardiner.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe facts of this sad case did not, as a matter of law, disclose the commission of an 113W offence of causing death by reckless driving. The decision to proceed on charges of reckless driving and excess alcohol reflected the only course open to the Crown prosecution service.