§ 68. Mr. John Morrisasked the Attorney-General what further inquiries he is making into the apparently contradictory statement regarding what transpired in discussions between the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and a solicitor for Mr. Bessell, a witness in the case of Regina v. Deakin and others, concerning a proposed agreement between Mr. Bessell and the Sunday Telegraph concerning a book; and whether he will make a statement.
The Attorney-GeneralNone. No. I refer the right hon. and learned Member34W to the written answer I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Blackpool North (Mr. Miscampbell) on 18 July.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether, in the light of the judge's comments at the recent Thorpe trial, he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to prosecution for a charge of perjury the evidence of Mr Peter Bessell.
The Attorney-GeneralA transcript of the proceedings to which the hon. Member refers has not been prepared but I am not aware of any evidence that would justify my making such a reference nor has the learned judge himself made one, as he was entitled to do.