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Televised sentencing in English courts 'considered' Televised sentencing in English courts 'considered'
(40 minutes later)
The government is considering whether to allow some sentencing in English courts to be televised, it has emerged. The government is considering whether to allow some sentencing in English and Welsh courts to be televised.
Broadcasting from courts in tightly controlled circumstances is being looked at by the government after renewed calls from broadcasters.
A government spokesman said it was considering proposals to allow limited recording and transmission from courts.A government spokesman said it was considering proposals to allow limited recording and transmission from courts.
The spokesman added that the Lord Chancellor was consulting with senior judges on the proposals. Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan said the public's understanding and confidence of the legal system would improve if cameras were allowed.
Critics have said prisoners could be at risk if personal information and previous convictions were revealed.
Under the proposals, the trials themselves and the verdicts delivered by the jury would not be filmed.
BBC News' politics correspondent Iain Watson said sources at both Downing Street and the Ministry of Justice have confirmed the government was "seriously considering" the plans in the interests of greater transparency.BBC News' politics correspondent Iain Watson said sources at both Downing Street and the Ministry of Justice have confirmed the government was "seriously considering" the plans in the interests of greater transparency.
He said an announcement would be made in due course however sources had denied reports that the announcement would be made by the prime minister in a forthcoming speech on crime.He said an announcement would be made in due course however sources had denied reports that the announcement would be made by the prime minister in a forthcoming speech on crime.
'Boost' public's engagement A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the Lord Chancellor was consulting with senior judges on the proposals after renewed calls from broadcasters for filming to be allowed.
Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan said: "I believe that public understanding of and confidence in of our legal system would improve if judges' verdicts were televised. 'Very cruel'
BBC News legal correspondent Clive Coleman said the director of public prosecutions, many judges and some lawyers were cautiously enthusiastic; however, some had argued that not seeing the trials themselves would hamper viewers' understanding of sentencing.
Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan said: "I believe that public understanding of and confidence in our legal system would improve if judges' verdicts were televised.
"However, it will be extremely important to ensure that careful controls are in place to protect jurors, victims and witnesses, particularly in complex and high-profile cases.""However, it will be extremely important to ensure that careful controls are in place to protect jurors, victims and witnesses, particularly in complex and high-profile cases."
In March, the top civil judge in England and Wales suggested televising hearings to increase confidence in justice.In March, the top civil judge in England and Wales suggested televising hearings to increase confidence in justice.
Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger said broadcasting some cases could boost public engagement in the court process.Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger said broadcasting some cases could boost public engagement in the court process.
But Julian Young, a solicitor advocate (that is, a solicitor qualified to represent clients in the higher courts), said prisoners could be put at risk if all the judge's remarks, including personal information and previous convictions, were televised.
"The general prison population can be very cruel towards other prisoners they may see as being weak," he said.
Mr Young said there could be difficulties in that the public would not be hearing what the prosecutor or defence lawyer had said.
He told BBC News that problems could arise if, for example, "the public gallery decided to erupt" half way through the judge's speech or if people misbehaved in court in order to gain publicity.
"There are all sorts of dangers which have to be carefully examined and a balance obtained, and that balance is not an easy one because all you're concentrating on is the judge," he added.
Filming in English courts has been banned since 1925. Cameras have been allowed in Scotland's courts since 1992 but only if all parties involved have given their consent.
This is not the first time such plans have been considered. In 2000 there were reports that a committee headed by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, was looking at something similar. But the then government denied this was the case.