§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Attorney-General when he was first aware that "Maxwell—the Musical" was to be produced.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSolicitors acting for Mr. Evan Steadman first informed my office in June 1993 of their client's intention to produce a musical provisionally entitled "Maxwell—the Musical". Officials explained that the Attorney-General cannot give legal advice to individuals or companies and that the producer should look to his own legal advisers for advice as to how the law of contempt might affect his intentions. A letter was also received on 17 June from solicitors acting for one of the defendants in the criminal proceedings.
In August and September 1993 solicitors representing one of the defendants drew attention to a proposed private preview scheduled for 12 September. They were not in a position to detail the contents of the production.
The solicitors acting for the producer subsequently wrote to my office on 30 December to say that the musical was intended to open in February 1994 and offering sight of the script. Having received a complaint on 11 January 1994 that the musical would prejudice the forthcoming trial, I asked on 18 January for a copy of the script which was received the following day. After taking advice from counsel specialising in the law relating to contempt, I concluded that the interests of justice required that I make an application to the High Court for an order restraining production of the musical. The solicitors acting for the producer were informed of my decision on Wednesday 2 February.