§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Attorney-General if he will issue instructions to the Crown Prosecution Service that prosecuting counsel shall not without the consent of defence counsel, conduct a conference with a police officer involved in the trial whilst the officer is under oath as a witness; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralNo. Counsel who conduct prosecutions on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service will be members of an independent profession in private practice. The question raised by the hon. and learned Member relates to a matter of professional conduct and etiquette and is a matter for direction by the professional conduct committee of the Bar Council and not by the Crown Prosecution Service. The relevant principles are currently set out in paragraph 142 and annex 12 of the Code of Conduct for the Bar of England and Wales (3rd Edition).