Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Oliver Campbell and The King, reference [2024] EWCA Crim 1036.

Criminal justice policies have advanced in the 33 years since Mr Campbell’s conviction, reflecting improved understanding of vulnerabilities. Robust processes to support defendants are now in place and regularly reviewed, for example guidance for judges on relevant adjustments and the use of intermediaries.

The Law Commission are preparing the preliminary findings of their review of the criminal appeals process, and I anticipate these shortly.