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Erol Incedal trial evidence must remain secret, judge rules Erol Incedal trial evidence must remain secret, judge rules
(about 1 hour later)
The bulk of the evidence in the UK’s first terror trial held mostly behind closed doors will remain secret forever, a judge has ruled.The bulk of the evidence in the UK’s first terror trial held mostly behind closed doors will remain secret forever, a judge has ruled.
Erol Incedal was found not guilty of preparing an act of terrorism following a trial at the Old Bailey.Erol Incedal was found not guilty of preparing an act of terrorism following a trial at the Old Bailey.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Nicol, refused a request by the media to be allowed to report sections of the case on which accredited reporters were permitted to take notes. He added that his reasons were secret.The trial judge, Mr Justice Nicol, refused a request by the media to be allowed to report sections of the case on which accredited reporters were permitted to take notes. He added that his reasons were secret.
Only a small section of the trial and retrial of the 27-year-old Turkish-born law student was heard in public, an unprecedented move for a terror case.Only a small section of the trial and retrial of the 27-year-old Turkish-born law student was heard in public, an unprecedented move for a terror case.
Most of the trial was held completely in secret in the interests of national security, but 10 accredited reporters were allowed to take notes but not report evidence in what was referred to as a “part 2” section.Most of the trial was held completely in secret in the interests of national security, but 10 accredited reporters were allowed to take notes but not report evidence in what was referred to as a “part 2” section.
The arrangement was set up following a high court challenge by the media before the trial got under way. The high court judgment allowed for the restrictions to be reviewed at the trial’s conclusion.The arrangement was set up following a high court challenge by the media before the trial got under way. The high court judgment allowed for the restrictions to be reviewed at the trial’s conclusion.
During legal submissions on Friday, it was argued for the media that in light of Incedal’s acquittal the public should not remain in ignorance of his defence against such a serious charge. And it was said that the restrictions might lead to speculation that may or may not be accurate.During legal submissions on Friday, it was argued for the media that in light of Incedal’s acquittal the public should not remain in ignorance of his defence against such a serious charge. And it was said that the restrictions might lead to speculation that may or may not be accurate.
But the prosecutor Richard Whittam QC opposed the move, saying nothing had changed and the crown might be put off bringing similar cases in future if part 2 reporting was allowed.But the prosecutor Richard Whittam QC opposed the move, saying nothing had changed and the crown might be put off bringing similar cases in future if part 2 reporting was allowed.
Mr Justice Nicol’s Mr Justice Nicol’s public judgment stated that he rejected the media application “for reasons which I can only explain in the accompanying private judgment”.
public judgment stated that he rejected the media application “for reasons which I can only explain in the accompanying private judgment”.
He agreed with Whittam’s opposition on the grounds that “nothing material has changed in view of the defendant’s acquittal to justify the change”.He agreed with Whittam’s opposition on the grounds that “nothing material has changed in view of the defendant’s acquittal to justify the change”.