§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Attorney-General in how many cases between 1985 and 1995 the Attorney-General's representative was asked to present the Crown's case at a criminal trial in Northern Ireland; in what circumstances the DPP was not represented; and in what capacity Mr. Brian Kerr appeared during the trial of Mr. Brian Nelson. [37805]
The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
I have taken my hon. Friend's reference to "the Attorney-General's representative" to mean senior Crown counsel appointed by the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland. Senior Crown counsel were instructed by the DPP(NI) to prosecute on three occasions during the period 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1995, the only period for which complete records are available. This includes the conduct by Mr. Brian Kerr QC (as he then was) of proceedings against Brian Nelson. When the DPP(NI) initiates, undertakes or carries on criminal proceedings, he is always represented either by counsel or professional staff.