Alleged Spying Case: Home Office Involvement
Debate between Lord Hanson of Flint and Lord Wallace of Tankerness(3 weeks, 3 days ago)
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Lord Wallace of Tankerness (LD)
My Lords, I will ask a question to which I hope the Minister can give me a straight answer. Much has been said in this House, in the other place and in the media, and there has been much speculation. Will he take this opportunity to assert unequivocally that the two men who were charged, and against whom the proceedings were dropped, enjoy and continue to enjoy a presumption of innocence?
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
Yes. They have not been charged with or convicted of any offence; therefore, as far as the law is concerned, they are not guilty of any offence. That is the self-evident state of play at the moment. That does not hide the fact that the Government are extremely disappointed that the matter did not go to trial, but that was a matter and a decision for the CPS and the DPP.