Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Navendu Mishra and Robert Buckland

Tuesday 18th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robert Buckland]

The right hon. Gentleman is right to raise that distressing case, and he can rest assured that over the years in which I have dealt with the unlawful and criminal naming of victims in that way I have not hesitated to take action as a Law Officer. Indeed we are already making preparations to see what can be done to improve and strengthen the law in this area, because, make no mistake, the naming of victims of sexual abuse—and other types of offending as well where anonymity is an essential part of the process—is not just wrong, it is criminal and we will do whatever it takes to help stamp it out.

[Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to tackle legal advice deserts.