Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Thursday 11th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this deeply concerning issue. I am happy to report that there have been a number of successful prosecutions of gangs who engage in this despicable and criminal behaviour. That is as a result of a change of culture that means the victims of these crimes are taken far more seriously than they were even a few years ago. So there is progress.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

3. If he will make an assessment of the effect of social media on the administration of justice.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

The response to the call for evidence on the impact of social media on the administration of justice was published on 5 March this year. We concluded that, whereas at present social media are not having a widespread impact on the trial process, this may not remain the case if the issues identified are not addressed. The Government are responding in a number of ways, including a new gov.uk webpage to support the public in understanding how they can responsibly comment on criminal trials in social media.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

Do users, who appear to have an opinion on everything, have any idea what the law actually is?

[The Solicitor General]

I do sometimes wonder. It should be as plain as a pikestaff to anyone that the criminal trial process has to have integrity and be based on the evidence heard in court. That is why the new contempt online webpage sets out clear and accessible information for the public on what might be considered contempt. I reassure my right hon. Friend that the law officers take robust action where there is evidence of contempt.