Forensic Evidence: Alleged Manipulation Debate

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Department: Home Office

Forensic Evidence: Alleged Manipulation

Lord Hanson of Flint Excerpts
Monday 27th November 2017

(6 years, 12 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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I do believe that to be true, and my understanding is that in some of these family cases more than one test will be taken. However, that does not take away from the uncertainty that people involved in these cases may feel, which is why my colleagues in the Ministry of Justice have set up a bespoke process that people can access quickly under which they can request that their case is reviewed.

Lord Hanson of Flint Portrait David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)
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In passing, it is worth noting that when my right hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr Campbell) and I were Home Office Ministers, we ruled out the privatisation of the Forensic Science Service. But my question to the Minister is this: if wrongdoing by a private sector company is found in due course, what penalties will be levied against it?

Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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How nice to have been a Minister before the age of austerity. The answer to the right hon. Gentleman’s question is that he is jumping the gun in terms of the police investigation. We should let Greater Manchester police do their work.