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Editor says judges must explain Editor says judges must explain
(20 minutes later)
The editor of the Daily Mail has urged judges to make more effort to explain controversial legal decisions to the general public.The editor of the Daily Mail has urged judges to make more effort to explain controversial legal decisions to the general public.
Paul Dacre, giving evidence to the House of Lords, said the judiciary was increasingly making political judgments concerning sentencing and human rights.Paul Dacre, giving evidence to the House of Lords, said the judiciary was increasingly making political judgments concerning sentencing and human rights.
He told peers that in the past judges had "enjoyed immunity from criticism from the press".He told peers that in the past judges had "enjoyed immunity from criticism from the press".
But now, he insisted, they must do more to "get their message across".But now, he insisted, they must do more to "get their message across".
AccountabilityAccountability
Mr Dacre's newspaper has been strongly critical of the Human Rights Act and he singled out the law once again in front of the committee.Mr Dacre's newspaper has been strongly critical of the Human Rights Act and he singled out the law once again in front of the committee.
"If the Human Rights Act is placing judges in a position where they are making more and more contentious decisions which fly in the face of views of politicians and the general populace, then the demand for judges to be accountable is going to grow.""If the Human Rights Act is placing judges in a position where they are making more and more contentious decisions which fly in the face of views of politicians and the general populace, then the demand for judges to be accountable is going to grow."
He suggested the Lord Chief Justice should speak on behalf of the judiciary in future, because, in his view, both the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor had become "too politicised".He suggested the Lord Chief Justice should speak on behalf of the judiciary in future, because, in his view, both the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor had become "too politicised".
Mr Dacre, editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers, claimed there was now "a general lack of reverence" for judges among the public.Mr Dacre, editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers, claimed there was now "a general lack of reverence" for judges among the public.
If they are making more and more lenient sentences, they are going to have to explain their position more vocally and lucidly Paul DacreIf they are making more and more lenient sentences, they are going to have to explain their position more vocally and lucidly Paul Dacre
He said while he sympathised with their position, there had been cases where judges should have done more to justify their decisions.He said while he sympathised with their position, there had been cases where judges should have done more to justify their decisions.
Specifically, he referred to the case of Craig Sweeney, who could serve less than six years in jail for the kidnap and sexual abuse of a three-year-old girl.Specifically, he referred to the case of Craig Sweeney, who could serve less than six years in jail for the kidnap and sexual abuse of a three-year-old girl.
"He (the judge) should have said, 'This issue should be taken up with politicians and the lawmakers of this country'," Mr Dacre said."He (the judge) should have said, 'This issue should be taken up with politicians and the lawmakers of this country'," Mr Dacre said.
'Misunderstandings''Misunderstandings'
Mr Dacre told the Lords constitution committee his readers were increasingly worried that judges were out of touch with the public's values.Mr Dacre told the Lords constitution committee his readers were increasingly worried that judges were out of touch with the public's values.
He said "misunderstandings" would continue to occur unless they fully explained their stance on controversial issues.He said "misunderstandings" would continue to occur unless they fully explained their stance on controversial issues.
Mr Dacre said: "If they are making more and more lenient sentences, they are going to have to explain their position more vocally and lucidly.Mr Dacre said: "If they are making more and more lenient sentences, they are going to have to explain their position more vocally and lucidly.
"I'm not sure in the modern world that judges can any longer adopt the position that they can't explain their actions.""I'm not sure in the modern world that judges can any longer adopt the position that they can't explain their actions."
Mr Dacre presented the findings of an ICM poll commissioned by the Daily Mail which found 58% of people felt judges did not understand the effects of crime on ordinary people. The constitution committee is examining the relationship between government and the judiciary and in particular, whether it is appropriate for ministers to comment on or criticise individual decisions by judges.
Mr Dacre was asked what role he thought the media plays in prompting politicians to speak out.
He presented the committee with the findings of an ICM poll commissioned by the Daily Mail which found 58% of people felt judges did not understand the effects of crime on ordinary people.
Three quarters of those surveyed said sentences were too lenient and 58% believed the rights of terrorist suspects were "put first".Three quarters of those surveyed said sentences were too lenient and 58% believed the rights of terrorist suspects were "put first".