Little takes issue with UK media revelations

Justice Minister Andrew Little has hit out at the British media for revealing suppressed details from the Grace Millane murder case.

If they want justice for Millane they should refrain from publishing information, he said.

On Monday, New Zealand police issued a warning to people not to name online the man charged with murdering the British backpacker.

The reminder came after the 26-yearold murder accused appeared in the Auckland District Court, where he was granted interim name suppression.

Following the appearance a number of people named the man on social media and also shared his Facebook profile.

The British media also took to naming him, publishing details and his photograph, which even appeared on a front page.

‘‘The international media, particularly the British media are not helping the Millane family. And if they are concerned about doing justice for the family, they should stop publishing details,’’ Little said.

The accused would face trial in New Zealand, if he did not plead guilty earlier, and the justice system had to make sure the accused got a fair trial, he said.

The defence would be looking for every opportunity to say a trial right might be compromised and that was why suppression needed to be abided by, he said.

‘‘It’s bad enough if an innocent person goes to jail, it’s equally an injustice if a guilty person gets to walk free because the justice system has failed,’’ he said.

If the media wanted to make sure the work of the police and the meticulous work to prove [guilt] beyond reasonable doubt, wasn’t in vain, there had to be a fair trial and suppression needed to be adhered to, he said.