§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General why Mr. Costas Elenas was not granted immunity against prosecution in Britain in return for giving evidence in the trial of the Cyprus service men; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralDuring the course of the trial, the solicitors for one of the defendants requested the Director of Public Prosecutions that Mr. Costas Elenas should be given immunity from prosecution whilst in the jurisdiction of the English courts arising out of his alleged involvement in the case in order that he might give evidence as a witness at the trial.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, while pointing out that he was unable on the information available to him to express an opinion as to the jurisdiction of our courts for offences under the Official Secrets Acts in respect of Mr. Elenas, replied that it was not his usual practice to grant immunity from prosecution to persons suspected of having committed criminal offences and he could see no reason that would justify his making an exception in respect of Mr. Elenas for any alleged involvement in the matters being tried. He added, however, that he was not presently aware of any admissible evidence tending to show that Mr. Elenas had committed any criminal offence.