§ Dr. Phippsasked the Attorney-General whether he instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions to take over the private prosecution for blasphemy against "Gay News".
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. Contrary to statements in the media, the Crown did not take over this prosecution. It was commenced and continued as a private prosecution. All prosecutions on indictment, whether private or not, are brought in the form of a written accusation of a crime made at the suit of the Crown. This does not mean that the Crown takes over responsibility for the proceedings in a private prosecution. This remains the responsibility of the private prosecutor.