Decision not to pursue prosecution of Labour peer Lord Janner is defended
BRITAIN’S top prosecutor has strongly defended her decision not to prosecute former MP Lord Janner for sex crimes against vulnerable boys – despite mounting criticism.
Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, insisted it was the “right decision” not to pursue the Labour peer through the courts because of his dementia.
And she said those who disagree should challenge it in the courts.
She said: “If somebody wants to challenge my decision, I’m not afraid. The proper way to challenge it is through the right to review or judicial review. I’m confident that if they want to do that, my decision will stand up. I thought long and hard before making it and I’m confident I got it r i g ht .” The for mer Labour peer, 86, was deemed by the Crown Prosecution Ser vice (CPS) to be too unwell to stand trial because of his dementia – sparking anger from his alleged victims. The CPS admitted police had enough evidence to charge him 25 years ago, but three flawed investigations all failed to charge him.
Ms Saunders admitted there was enough evidence to prosecute the peer for 22 sex offences against nine people. More than a dozen people came forward to claim he abused them during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Simon Danczuk, the Labour MP for Rochdale who helped expose child sex abuse carried out by the late Liberal MP Cyril Smith, said the decision not to prosecute was “clearly the wrong one”.
And he accused Ms Saunders of a “lack of emotional intelligence” by inviting her decision to be challenged in the courts: “I find it peculiar that she says she’s happy to be challenged in the courts over the decision. That sounds quite cold.
“A little bit more emotional intelligence on her par t would be welcome.”
He accused other politicians of “tip-toeing around this issue” and said the controversial decision not to pursue the case is putting other victims of sex abuse off coming forward.
He said: “This is an issue of massive national importance and she’s badly got it wrong.”
Lord Janner denies the allegations against him.