§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Attorney-General what likelihood of success the Director of Public Prosecutions requires before proceeding(a) against a police officer and (b) against a member of the public.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhen deciding whether or not to prosecute, the code for Crown prosecutors issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with section 10 of the Prosecution of Offence Act 1985 stipulates two general criteria for the institution of criminal proceedings. They are, first, that there must be admissible, substantial and reliable evidence to offer a realistic prospect of conviction; and, secondly, that the public interest requires a prosecution.
No distinction is drawn between cases involving police officers and members of the public.