Law Weblog

Jack Straw gives up his plan for inquests in secret

Saturday 16 May 2009 at 8:33 am | In News | Post Comment Jack Straw last night abandoned Labour’s plans to hold sensitive inquests in secret without juries.

The Justice Secretary admitted the Government had too little support to get the law through Parliament.

Mr Straw’s plans to ban relatives and members of the public from inquests where secret intelligence or delicate diplomatic ties were involved had provoked fierce protests.

They were widely expected to be blocked by the House of Lords next week.

The Labour Government has attacked the jury system relentlessly over 12 years.

News report from the Guardian here