Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring registered intermediaries to have an enhanced DBS check given their access to vulnerable witnesses.

Registered Intermediaries are required to satisfy a ‘basic’ level DBS check in line with legislation set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Whilst Registered Intermediaries may interact with vulnerable victims and witnesses they always do so in the presence of another responsible adult, usually a police officer. They are never alone with witnesses, to prevent disclosures being made solely in their presence, and they do not have caring responsibilities.