£6m trial hit by anonymity ruling

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Officials are trying to clear space in the Parliamentary timetable so legislation can be pushed through before the summer recess.

The Old Bailey murder trial was halted following last week's Law Lords decision that defendants have a right to know who is giving evidence against them. The two-month case of Douglas Johnson, 27, and David Austin, 41, for the murder of east London businessman Charles Butler, 50, was the first casualty of the ruling.

Four witnesses had given evidence anonymously but the House of Lords decision to allow an appeal in another murder trial means it is now illegal.

Dozens of cases around the country are being reviewed before they go to trial. And other cases where defendants were convicted after witnesses gave evidence from behind screens, with their voices altered and their names changed, are likely to be appealed.

Police headed the call for emergency legislation to be passed before next month's Parliamentary summer recess.

Former Surrey Chief Constable Bob Quick, who is now head of Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "This needs resolving. The Queen's Speech is too far away, in my view. The implications for the fight against organised crime and terrorism are very serious. We urgently need this redressed, by legislation if necessary.

"It's catastrophic. There is too much principle and not enough pragmatism in the criminal justice system."

Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) president Ken Jones said it was in talks with the Ministry of Justice, insisting: "These measures are something we need to combat serious violent crime, and they have proved very successful.

"This has been part of the fightback against violent crime. Anonymity has been used in a tiny, tiny minority of cases and the fundamental principle that you are entitled to hear from your accuser has not been breached. These powers are used only in rare and exceptional circumstances - the judiciary have supported them for a long time and there are rigorous checks and balances."