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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
John Hemming MP writes: This country has allowed too much secret justice to develop
May 23, 2011 7:33 PM
• John Hemming* writes: WHAT Ryan Giggs wished to kept secret was a trivial issue that has been widely publicised as a result of him having the injunction. It was estimated that some 60% of the population knew who he was.
However, last week he started through his lawyers the process of enforcement of the court order. That was being done through getting from Twitter the details of people who had posted entries on Twitter. Anyone who wanted to keep their identity secret could do so. Hence the only targets they would get are people who live in England or Wales and have posted under their own identity.
A prosecution for contempt of court is a serious thing. About two months ago I dealt with Vicky Haigh who was being prosecuted for contempt of court in a hearing with reporting restrictions. The hearing prevented revealing her name and prevented revealing the name of the local authority responsible. I revealed those in parliamentary proceedings.
Contempt of court involves potentially a two year jail sentence. I think it is wrong for anyone to be prosecuted for gossiping about trivia on twitter. Additionally it is wrong to go after ordinary people anonymously.
I also identified Giles Coren who it is reported has been threatened with similar proceedings, but whose name it was reported could not be reported.
This country has allowed too much secret justice to develop. Parliament can stand up to protect people who face such oppressive tactics. That is parliament's job.
* MP for Birmingham, Yardley
• I appear to be in a minority in frowning on blackmail [Mark Pack Lib Dem Voice May 24]
' . . • [May 23] John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley, Liberal Democrat): WITH about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs on Twitter, it is obviously impracticable to imprison them all, and with reports that Giles Coren also faces imprisonment-
John Bercow (Speaker): Order. Let me just say to the hon. Gentleman-although I know that he has already done it-that occasions such as this are for raising the issues of principle involved, not for seeking to flout orders for whatever purpose. If the hon. Gentleman wants to finish his question in an orderly way, he may do so.
John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley, Liberal Democrat): The question is, what is the Government's view on the enforceability of a law that clearly does not have public consent?
Dominic Grieve (Attorney General; Beaconsfield, Conservative): It is our duty as parliamentarians to uphold the rule of law . . '
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