Aide to DPP worked with Janner’s son

PROSECUTORS were forced to defend a senior legal adviser yesterday over fears of a conflict of interest in the Janner case.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said she was aware of potential links between a key aide and the Labour peer’s QC son.

Neil Moore, who was based at the 23 Essex Street chambers where Daniel Janner works, was consulted by Mrs Saunders before she concluded not to prosecute.

Senior police officers have privately raised concerns with her about Mr Moore’s involvement in the decision-making process.

But a spokesman for the UK’s top prosecutor said she made the decision alone and that Mr Moore informed her of the connection before any discussions took place. She said Mr Moore was a barrister of the highest integrity and had not spoken to Mr Janner for two years.

The potential for a conflict of interest is unhelpful for Mrs Saunders as she tackles the aftermath of her controversial decision.

Last week it was revealed she over-ruled an expert in child abuse cases by deciding not to charge Janner. Eleanor Laws QC recommended a ‘trial of the facts’ in the defendant’s absence to ‘get to the bottom of the allegations’.

A CPS spokesman said: ‘It is the DPP’s job to make these extremely difficult decisions, and that is what the DPP has done.’