§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Attorney-General what was the average length of time in those cases for which the appeals have already been held relating to Operation Jackpot between the investigator reporting a case to the Crown Prosecution Service as involving a possible miscarriage of justice and the hearing of those cases in the Court of Appeal.
The Attorney-General: As the necessary information is not at present to hand, I will write to the hon. Member.
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§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Attorney-General what representations the Crown Prosecution Service has received from the Police Complaints Authority with regard to criminal prosecutions or disciplinary proceedings against police officers arising out of Operation Jackpot in those cases where the appeals have been heard; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNone.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the reasons for the delays in hearing those appeals before the Court of Appeal of defendants which have now been heard in cases relating to Operation Jackpot.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere are a number of factors which may affect the progress of individual cases. Not all apply in every case. They are (i) the time it takes for the officers to complete their investigation and prepare a report; (ii) review by the prosecution of the material; (fit) the time it takes to list a case in the Court of Appeal; (iv) listing the case for determination of any issues relating to disclosure; (v) preparation of the appeal by the defence.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Attorney-General if the Crown Prosecution Service has received or considered any representations from the Metropolitan police in relation to those appeals which have been heard relating to Operation Jackpot.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn the course of the review, the Crown Prosecution Service consulted the officer conducting the inquiry and his views were considered.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Attorney-General (1) if the Crown Prosecution Service has considered the potential consequencies for the careers of individual police in relation to its approach to those appeals which have been heard relating to Operation Jackpot;
(2) if the Crown Prosecution Service in deciding its approach to appeals which have been heard in cases relating to Operation Jackpot has taken account of possible criminal prosecutions of, or disciplinary action against, the police officers concerned.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. The approach of the Crown Prosecution Service has been to examine all the evidence, including any evidence tending to suggest that police officers may have committed criminal offences or breaches of discipline, to determine whether the Crown could properly seek to sustain the conviction.