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New witness anonymity law planned New witness anonymity law planned
(30 minutes later)
Emergency legislation will be brought forward next week to allow witnesses in some trials to remain anonymous, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs.Emergency legislation will be brought forward next week to allow witnesses in some trials to remain anonymous, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs.
The law lords' ruling last week that defendants needed to know who was testifying against them has already led to one £6m trial being halted.The law lords' ruling last week that defendants needed to know who was testifying against them has already led to one £6m trial being halted.
Mr Brown said he would bring forward legislation to allowing anonymity in organised crime and some other trials.Mr Brown said he would bring forward legislation to allowing anonymity in organised crime and some other trials.
"I hope and believe we can do this with all party support," he told MPs."I hope and believe we can do this with all party support," he told MPs.
Earlier Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed he was "looking at proposals to change the law" after the collapse of the Old Bailey trial on Tuesday.Earlier Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed he was "looking at proposals to change the law" after the collapse of the Old Bailey trial on Tuesday.
Fair trial
Several other recent high profile trials have also used anonymous witnesses.Several other recent high profile trials have also used anonymous witnesses.
The solicitor for two men found guilty of murdering teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare in Birmingham in 2003 has said he will appeal against the conviction, because anonymous witnesses were used.The solicitor for two men found guilty of murdering teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare in Birmingham in 2003 has said he will appeal against the conviction, because anonymous witnesses were used.
Last Wednesday the law lords ruled that a man convicted in 2004 of two murders had not received a fair trial, because it was based on evidence from anonymous witnesses. He can now appeal against his conviction.
In their ruling they said: "No conviction should be based solely or to a decisive extent upon the statements and testimony of anonymous witnesses."
But the Metropolitan Police has said it is "very concerned" by the ruling and its potential impact on gang crime cases, in which the use of anonymous witnesses has resulted in several high-profile convictions.
Police have warned that up to 40 trials may be affected by the lords' ruling.
On Tuesday Justice Minister Maria Eagle recognised there was "a difficult balance to strike ... between giving witnesses who fear for their safety the confidence to give their evidence, and making sure that innocent people aren't convicted in the courts and that we have the right to a fair trial".