Clarke Backs Televised Court Proceedings

The Secretary of State has aired his support for televised court proceedings, saying there was "no good reason" why not.

Speaking on Monday, Ken Clarke said televising judges' comments would be a good idea, which would help to demystify the process and give the public confidence in the justice system.

A government spokesman said it was considering proposals to allow limited recording and transmission from courts that would see the trials themselves, although the verdicts delivered by the jury would not be filmed.

The BBC revealed on Tuesday that sources at both Downing Street and the Ministry of Justice had confirmed the government was "seriously considering" the plans in the interests of greater transparency.

Mr Clarke said he favoured proceeding cautiously, starting with the Court of Appeal and including the Crown Courts later.

He said: "I think what we need is public information, public confidence and above all transparency in the way the system works.

"There are all sorts of dangers which have to be carefully examined and a balance obtained, and that balance is not an easy one because all you're concentrating on is the judge”

"There's a lot of misunderstanding on how the criminal justice system works. What we don't want is theatre and we don't want to alter the behaviour or the conduct of the trial. We want to encourage people to have confidence in it."

Broadcasters have been pressing for a removal of the ban on TV cameras in English and Welsh courts for a number of years. The only exception is the Supreme Court, where cameras have been allowed to film proceedings for the past two years.

According to Sky News, which has been campaigning for cameras in court, the Prime Minister will address the issue when he appears in Parliament later today.

(DW/BMcC)