Ministry of Justice to Review Bail Guidance to Judges following police officer's suicide

Thursday 31 January 2008

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The tragic consequences of the death of Gary Weddell, due to stand trial in May for killing his mother-in-law, will lead to a review of guidance given to judges on bail applications, Ministry of Justice sources have revealed.

Leading defence counsel Owen Davies QC, interviewed on BBC Radio 4's flagship World at One stated it was highly unusual for defendants charged with murder to be released on bail and that a knee jerk parliamentary reaction to recent events should be discouraged. The current Bail Act has served us well in order to strike the balance between the liberty of the subject and the requirement to hold suspects in custody.

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owen davies qc

Owen Davies QC practices in criminal and public law including terrorism, serious fraud, homicide, drugs and computer misuse as well as immigration and environmental law. He is joint head of chambers with Courtenay Griffiths QC at Garden Court Chambers.

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