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Judge Constance Briscoe tried to manipulate evidence, court told Judge Constance Briscoe tried to manipulate evidence, court told
(35 minutes later)
A barrister and part-time judge made a "hopeless and desperate" attempt to try to manipulate evidence in her own trial after being arrested for lying to police in the Chris Huhne points-swapping case, it has been claimed.A barrister and part-time judge made a "hopeless and desperate" attempt to try to manipulate evidence in her own trial after being arrested for lying to police in the Chris Huhne points-swapping case, it has been claimed.
Constance Briscoe, 56, submitted a false document to an expert for analysis which would have been used as part of her defence case had it not been discovered, said prosecutor Bobbie Cheema, QC. Constance Briscoe, 56, submitted a false document to an expert for analysis that would have been used as part of her defence case had it not been discovered, said prosecutor Bobbie Cheema, QC.
A jury at Southwark crown court was told: "You may say it was a hopeless and desperate attempt by this defendant to try and pull the wool, as it happens, over your eyes, because this was a report that was designed to be used in this trial had it not been revealed it was false."A jury at Southwark crown court was told: "You may say it was a hopeless and desperate attempt by this defendant to try and pull the wool, as it happens, over your eyes, because this was a report that was designed to be used in this trial had it not been revealed it was false."
Briscoe, a friend and neighbour of Huhne's ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, was arrested in October 2012 after making two statements to police during the Huhne investigation in which she denied any dealings with newspapers over the point-swapping story and misrepresented her relationship with Pryce, the trial has heard.Briscoe, a friend and neighbour of Huhne's ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, was arrested in October 2012 after making two statements to police during the Huhne investigation in which she denied any dealings with newspapers over the point-swapping story and misrepresented her relationship with Pryce, the trial has heard.
Briscoe was to have been a prosecution witness in the case against the former energy secretary and his ex-wife as someone Pryce allegedly confided the penalty points swap to when it happened in 2003.Briscoe was to have been a prosecution witness in the case against the former energy secretary and his ex-wife as someone Pryce allegedly confided the penalty points swap to when it happened in 2003.
But emails subsequently discovered revealed Briscoe had been in contact with journalists at the Mail on Sunday newspaper, and was acting as an adviser to Pryce in her dealings with the media to bring about the cabinet minister's downfall after he left her, the jury was told. But emails subsequently discovered revealed Briscoe had been in contact with journalists at the Mail on Sunday newspaper and was acting as an adviser to Pryce in her dealings with the media to bring about the cabinet minister's downfall after he left her, the jury was told.
Briscoe, a criminal lawyer and author, denies three counts of intending to pervert the course of public justice. Briscoe, a criminal lawyer and author, denies three counts of intending to pervert the course of justice.
Cheema told the jury that Briscoe was arrested at her Clapham home in south London on 6 October 2012, originally on suspicion of perjury and making a false statement.Cheema told the jury that Briscoe was arrested at her Clapham home in south London on 6 October 2012, originally on suspicion of perjury and making a false statement.
On the way to the police station, she asked officers: "Oh, I've made a false statement, just so I'm clear in my head I've made a false statement, have I?" the jury heard.On the way to the police station, she asked officers: "Oh, I've made a false statement, just so I'm clear in my head I've made a false statement, have I?" the jury heard.
Cheema said that on arrival Briscoe inquired: "Will I go in a cell?"Cheema said that on arrival Briscoe inquired: "Will I go in a cell?"
On being told she would be in an interview room, she allegedly said: "So I've been arrested for perjury have I?" On being told she would be in an interview room, she allegedly said: "So I've been arrested for perjury, have I?"
She then continued: "So, I'll be interviewed and then they will decide if they will charge me," the jury was told.She then continued: "So, I'll be interviewed and then they will decide if they will charge me," the jury was told.
When being told the decision to charge would be up to the Crown Prosecution Services, she replied: "That's interesting," it was claimed.When being told the decision to charge would be up to the Crown Prosecution Services, she replied: "That's interesting," it was claimed.
Cheema said Briscoe inquired: "Who is interviewing me?". When told, she allegedly replied: "Fine, fine, fine, I'll have a cup of tea and then we can talk and I'll see if I've perjured myself."Cheema said Briscoe inquired: "Who is interviewing me?". When told, she allegedly replied: "Fine, fine, fine, I'll have a cup of tea and then we can talk and I'll see if I've perjured myself."
It is alleged Briscoe made two misleading statements to police, and then deliberately altered one of those statements to try and cover up her deceit by adding an extra letter "I" in an attempt to change the meaning of her statement. It is alleged Briscoe made two misleading statements to police and then deliberately altered one of those statements to try to cover up her deceit by adding an extra letter "I" in an attempt to change the meaning of her statement.
It is further alleged she then submitted a different document, rather than the statement original, to an expert for a report, which led the expert to conclude the extra letter could be a printer malfunction rather than a deliberate alteration.It is further alleged she then submitted a different document, rather than the statement original, to an expert for a report, which led the expert to conclude the extra letter could be a printer malfunction rather than a deliberate alteration.
Cheema told the jury Briscoe had "produced to the expert witness what appears to be a false document, or a document under false pretences".Cheema told the jury Briscoe had "produced to the expert witness what appears to be a false document, or a document under false pretences".
The trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks, continues.The trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks, continues.
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