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| Warning to prosecutors after MP Nigel Evans case | Warning to prosecutors after MP Nigel Evans case |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Crown Prosecution Service needs to "keep a cool head" in investigations of historic abuse cases, a former director of public prosecutions has warned. | The Crown Prosecution Service needs to "keep a cool head" in investigations of historic abuse cases, a former director of public prosecutions has warned. |
| Prosecutors "on a mission" to pursue famous people could lose perspective, Lord Macdonald told the Times. | |
| The peer made his comments after former Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans was cleared of a series of sexual offences. | The peer made his comments after former Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans was cleared of a series of sexual offences. |
| Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS would not "shy away from prosecuting difficult cases". | Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS would not "shy away from prosecuting difficult cases". |
| Commons staff | Commons staff |
| Lord Macdonald did not comment directly on the Nigel Evans case. | Lord Macdonald did not comment directly on the Nigel Evans case. |
| "We don't want prosecutors only to bring sure-fire winners. That way lots of guilty people would never be taken to court," he said. | |
| "The more challenging cases need to be prosecuted too, so that the courts can decide. | "The more challenging cases need to be prosecuted too, so that the courts can decide. |
| "What the CPS needs to avoid, however, is going on a mission and losing perspective. | |
| "This particularly applies to historical cases which have garnered a lot of publicity. You have to keep a cool head." | "This particularly applies to historical cases which have garnered a lot of publicity. You have to keep a cool head." |
| The CPS maintained it was right that all the evidence in the case of Mr Evans was put before a jury, but added that it respected the court's decision to clear him of all the charges. | The CPS maintained it was right that all the evidence in the case of Mr Evans was put before a jury, but added that it respected the court's decision to clear him of all the charges. |
| 'Serious concerns' | 'Serious concerns' |
| Some MPs have criticised the CPS and police after the acquittal of Mr Evans. | Some MPs have criticised the CPS and police after the acquittal of Mr Evans. |
| Conservative MP David Davis, a former shadow home secretary, called for an "urgent review", saying there was "a risk of a serious injustice" under the current system. | Conservative MP David Davis, a former shadow home secretary, called for an "urgent review", saying there was "a risk of a serious injustice" under the current system. |
| Mr Davis said: "This case has highlighted serious concerns over how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service bring sexual offence cases to court. | Mr Davis said: "This case has highlighted serious concerns over how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service bring sexual offence cases to court. |
| "In particular we must now review the process whereby the police and the Crown Prosecution Service put together a large number of lesser, subsidiary cases in order to reinforce one serious case when prosecuting sexual offences. | "In particular we must now review the process whereby the police and the Crown Prosecution Service put together a large number of lesser, subsidiary cases in order to reinforce one serious case when prosecuting sexual offences. |
| "It is clear from the way that this case proceeded that there is a risk of a serious injustice being done to an innocent man, and I would call on the attorney general to urgently review this issue." | "It is clear from the way that this case proceeded that there is a risk of a serious injustice being done to an innocent man, and I would call on the attorney general to urgently review this issue." |
| Mr Evans was cleared of a string of sex abuse charges, including one of rape. | Mr Evans was cleared of a string of sex abuse charges, including one of rape. |
| The rape claim was among several allegations made by seven men during a five-week trial at Preston Crown Court. | The rape claim was among several allegations made by seven men during a five-week trial at Preston Crown Court. |
| Mr Evans was said to have used his political influence to take advantage of his alleged victims but the defence pointed out inconsistencies in various witness accounts. | Mr Evans was said to have used his political influence to take advantage of his alleged victims but the defence pointed out inconsistencies in various witness accounts. |
| The former Conservative MP, 56, currently sits as an independent for Ribble Valley. | The former Conservative MP, 56, currently sits as an independent for Ribble Valley. |