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Lord Janner lawyers lose High Court bid over child abuse charges Lord Janner lawyers lose High Court bid over child abuse charges
(about 1 hour later)
Lawyers for Lord Janner have lost a High Court bid to spare him attending court to face child sex abuse charges.Lawyers for Lord Janner have lost a High Court bid to spare him attending court to face child sex abuse charges.
The 87-year-old peer, who has dementia, must now appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday in relation to 22 charges spanning the 1960s to the 1980s, which he denies.The 87-year-old peer, who has dementia, must now appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday in relation to 22 charges spanning the 1960s to the 1980s, which he denies.
The ex-MP's lawyers had argued it was "barbaric, inhumane and uncivilised" to force him to attend as he was too ill.The ex-MP's lawyers had argued it was "barbaric, inhumane and uncivilised" to force him to attend as he was too ill.
But judges upheld a previous ruling that the 87-year-old must be present. But judges ruled there was a "strong public interest" in his attendance.
Lord Janner's lawyers are now considering whether to make an application to the Court of Appeal.Lord Janner's lawyers are now considering whether to make an application to the Court of Appeal.
But, as it stands, Lord Janner must attend court or risk arrest, said BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw. But, as it stands, he must attend court on Friday or risk arrest.
'Public justice''Public justice'
Lord Janner's family have strongly denied claims he used his power as an MP to abuse young boys over a 30-year period. Lord Janner's family have strongly denied claims he used his power as an MP to abuse young boys over three decades.
His lawyer argued he had "virtually no language left at all" and was likely to have a "catastrophic reaction" if he attended court.His lawyer argued he had "virtually no language left at all" and was likely to have a "catastrophic reaction" if he attended court.
The previous ruling by district judges ordering him to attend in person was "perverse", and violated his human rights, said Paul Ozin. A previous ruling at the same court ordering him to attend in person was "perverse", and violated his human rights, said Paul Ozin.
However, giving her ruling Lady Justice Rafferty said even if Lord Janner did have a reaction to appearing in court it would be "short lived and rapidly forgotten". However, upholding that ruling, Lady Justice Rafferty said it did not violate his rights and even if Lord Janner had a reaction to appearing in court it would be "short lived and rapidly forgotten".
Justice should be public and court not a place of avoidable spectacle, she said. Justice should be public and court not a place of "avoidable spectacle", she said.
Lady Justice Rafferty, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin, said the court had "unhesitatingly concluded" that it was in the public interest that Lord Janner attend court.Lady Justice Rafferty, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin, said the court had "unhesitatingly concluded" that it was in the public interest that Lord Janner attend court.
Mr Justice Irwin said if Mr Ozin's arguments were to be accepted then notorious mentally ill homicide suspects might also not have to attend court. The judge said the peer had been charged with offences which must be tried in the crown court "and by some means the case must progress to it".
It is that court that will decide whether Lord Janner is fit to face a trial.
Who is Lord Janner?Who is Lord Janner?
The case is likely to be sent to a crown court, which will decide whether Lord Janner is fit to face a trial.
Earlier this year, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders decided not to bring charges because of Lord Janner's health - but this decision was overturned after an appeal by the alleged victims.Earlier this year, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders decided not to bring charges because of Lord Janner's health - but this decision was overturned after an appeal by the alleged victims.
If a crown court judge decides the former Labour MP for Leicester is fit to plead, a full trial may take place.If a crown court judge decides the former Labour MP for Leicester is fit to plead, a full trial may take place.
If not, there will be a so-called trial of the facts, where a jury will decide only if he committed the physical acts of abuse, with no finding of guilt and no conviction.If not, there will be a so-called trial of the facts, where a jury will decide only if he committed the physical acts of abuse, with no finding of guilt and no conviction.
Greville Janner was made Lord Janner of Braunstone in 1997. He remains a life peer, but has been on leave of absence since 2014.Greville Janner was made Lord Janner of Braunstone in 1997. He remains a life peer, but has been on leave of absence since 2014.
He was suspended from the Labour Party in April.He was suspended from the Labour Party in April.