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| Long court appeals a 'source of real fury', says lord chief justice | Long court appeals a 'source of real fury', says lord chief justice |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The lord chief justice has condemned the excessive time it takes to pursue appeals through British and European courts as "unacceptable" and a source of "real fury". | The lord chief justice has condemned the excessive time it takes to pursue appeals through British and European courts as "unacceptable" and a source of "real fury". |
| Asked about delays in dealing with the case of Abu Hamza, the Islamist cleric who is resisting extradition to the US, Lord Judge declined to comment on any specific case. | |
| But addressing the general problem at his annual press conference, he said: "Any case that takes eight years through a series of judicial processes to come to a conclusion — and it hasn't yet come to a conclusion – is a source of real fury to me. | But addressing the general problem at his annual press conference, he said: "Any case that takes eight years through a series of judicial processes to come to a conclusion — and it hasn't yet come to a conclusion – is a source of real fury to me. |
| "We really can't have cases taking that long. It's not good for anybody. It's not right. | "We really can't have cases taking that long. It's not good for anybody. It's not right. |
| "The hearing [for an emergency appeal against deportation by Abu Hamza] is fixed for Tuesday. It can't be quicker." | |
| Any delays were not entirely due to the British courts, he suggested. Abu Hamza's appeals to the European court of human rights in Strasbourg had added a considerable period to the process, he implied. | Any delays were not entirely due to the British courts, he suggested. Abu Hamza's appeals to the European court of human rights in Strasbourg had added a considerable period to the process, he implied. |
| Asked whether there should be time limits imposed on appeals, Judge said: "The problem is new points [of law] keep coming up and then they go through the whole process. | |
| "Any case that takes eight years is not acceptable. People have to live their lives knowing where they stand." | "Any case that takes eight years is not acceptable. People have to live their lives knowing where they stand." |
| Abu Hamza and four others lost their appeal to Strasbourg against extradition earlier this week. However, a high court judge has since halted the extradition of the cleric and one of the other four, pending an urgent hearing in open court. | |
| Abu Hamza is reported to be basing his last-ditch claim on his deteriorating mental health and the fact that he doesn't have his British passport. | |
| He is said to be seeking a court order requiring the Home Office to hand back his passport so he can get an American lawyer and provide for his children's "legitimate needs". The passport was taken during a dispute over his citizenship. | He is said to be seeking a court order requiring the Home Office to hand back his passport so he can get an American lawyer and provide for his children's "legitimate needs". The passport was taken during a dispute over his citizenship. |