Lord Speaker’s Statement

Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Excerpts

Tuesday 14th May 2024 Lords Chamber

[The Deputy Speaker (Baroness Watkins of Tavistock) (CB)]

My Lords, before I call the repeated Urgent Question, I should remind the House that part of the Lord Speaker’s role is to consider whether, in specific circumstances, it is appropriate to waive the sub judice rule, under which we do not debate cases that are before the courts.

A coroner’s inquest has been opened into some of the deaths at Her Majesty’s Prison Parc, and that case is therefore now sub judice. However, given the significant public interest in this matter, the Lord Speaker has decided to grant a waiver in respect of the inquest.

While noble Lords may refer to those deaths, it is important that they bear in mind that an inquest is ongoing, and that criminal or civil proceedings might be brought in future, and noble Lords should therefore exercise caution in their remarks. It is relevant to the Lord Speaker’s decision that a similar waiver was issued yesterday in the House of Commons.