Speeches by Cox.

“A final one from me in this section. Should witnesses be able to make use of section 28 without having previously given an admissible achieving best evidence interview?”

“On the specific question of the Law Commission’s recommendation that complainants in sexual offence cases should be entitled to the use of standard measures to assist with giving evidence, would you agree with that?”

“You will be aware that the public have a great concern around sexual offences prosecutions and the rates of prosecution, all these questions. The Law Commission has recently looked at this and has come up with recommendations on the presentation of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions. Would you comment on some of t…”

“It would be worth finding that out definitively, I think.”

“Good afternoon. I am Pam Cox, MP for Colchester, and my interests are declared on the register but I would draw attention to the fact that I chair the APPG on penal affairs.”

“If I could bring us back to the principles at stake here, taking full account of the practicalities and the challenges that you have mentioned, the principle of section 28 is around ensuring that victims, complainants and witnesses give their best evidence. It is an access to justice question. I would like to ask Chris…”

“Broadly on the VAWG strategy, just to recap again what the MOJ is doing to push that joined-up approach with other Departments, are there some concrete examples where you have joined-up working?”

“This is a bit of a wildcard question but since we have you here, the European Convention on Human Rights provides a framework for the protection of victims’ rights. Our own victims code was drawn up in 2004 with pretty close reference to the Convention and adapted for British needs. Can you confirm that the ECHR will c…”

“Of course, the ECHR was drawn up largely by British lawyers or to a large extent, so it is informed. It is interesting that you are still just as committed to it.”

“This is a bit of a wildcard question but since we have you here, the European Convention on Human Rights provides a framework for the protection of victims’ rights. Our own victims code was drawn up in 2004 with pretty close reference to the Convention and adapted for British needs. Can you confirm that the ECHR will c…”

“On the housing question, I have dealt with victims of sexual abuse who have found it very difficult to get a guarantor when they want to enter the private rental market, having left a family home, because they cannot provide easy evidence of their financial security. Is that something that is being considered?”

“A final one from me in this section. Should witnesses be able to make use of section 28 without having previously given an admissible achieving best evidence interview?”

“On the specific question of the Law Commission’s recommendation that complainants in sexual offence cases should be entitled to the use of standard measures to assist with giving evidence, would you agree with that?”

“You will be aware that the public have a great concern around sexual offences prosecutions and the rates of prosecution, all these questions. The Law Commission has recently looked at this and has come up with recommendations on the presentation of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions. Would you comment on some of t…”

“How, given the discussion around section 28, will the MOJ be moving forward with it?”

“That is very helpful, thank you.”

“Thank you very much, Baroness Newlove. I will invite Professor Hohl to come in on the question of the extent to which people feel informed about engaging with the process.”

“Baroness Newlove and Professor Hohl, how is this working for victims and witnesses themselves from that perspective? How far do you feel that they are now more fully informed about the decisions around special measures that are right for them?”

“Just to recap, in your experience this has improved over time and that is encouraging to hear.”

“If I could bring us back to the principles at stake here, taking full account of the practicalities and the challenges that you have mentioned, the principle of section 28 is around ensuring that victims, complainants and witnesses give their best evidence. It is an access to justice question. I would like to ask Chris…”