People cleared of sex crimes could get lifetime anonymity

I completely disagree that suspected rapists should get lifetime anonymity. The jury is not always 100% correct.

PEOPLE accused of sex offences in the Republic of Ireland could be granted lifetime anonymity if not convicted, under proposals contained in a review carried out after the high-profile rugby rape case trial.

Follow this link to find out more: https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3282654908480927&id=100002093504519&set=a.439170419496071&source=48

Barrister Tom O’Malley chaired the review after the 2018 Belfast trial of Ireland internationals Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding led to demands on both sides of the border for changes the way the judicial systems handle such cases. Jackson was acquitted of rape and sexual assault while fellow Ulster player Olding was cleared of rape. Two other men were also acquitted in connection with the case. In the south, only those accused of rape are granted anonymity, but among 50 recommendations is the extension to people accused of sexual assault. It also calls for an update of legislation used to prosecute people for revealing complainant’s identity in the media to include social media.

Funny how MI5 keep missing serial Pedophiles and Satanists when they do their thorough background checks on people honoured by the Queen…Funny that

If adopted it would see the establishment of preliminary trial hearings “as soon as possible” to deal with legal issues and reduce delays in the judicial system. The accused’s defence team would also have to make it clear at that stage they plan to question a complaint about his or her previous sexual experience. It recommends that any statutory restriction on this questioning strike a balance between respecting rights to personal privacy and human dignity and ensuring a fair trial for the accused. The review warns that an outright ban would be unacceptable as it would (could) create the risk of an occasional miscarriage of justice, suggesting instead a formal code of practice to govern the collection and disclosure of a complainant’s text messages, social media and internet usage.

The working group also recommends a government-sponsored public education programme on the meaning and importance of consent in sexual relationships and activity and a website with comprehensive information for victims of sexual crime set up and regularly promoted.

“[It] is a clear recognition from government that it is not appropriate to treat crimes of sexual violence just like any other crime” Noeline Blackwell

It would include information on sexual offences, the trial process, availability of legal advice, counselling, therapy and other help. In addition, the group recommends training for all gardaí in front-line policing on dealing with sexual crime complaints and with other witnesses, including suspects vulnerable because of age or disability. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) chief executive Noeline Blackwell said the reforms would “greatly improve” the process for victims and “is a clear recognition from government that it is not appropriate to treat crimes of sexual violence just like any any other crime”. The Council of The Bar Of Ireland warned the provision of adequate resources and funding is “critical” to make the changes. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said if victims come forward “they will be listened to… heard… treated with respect and dignity, and… supported through what is a very difficult process”. A “clear implementation” plan will be in place in 10 weeks.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Bimpe Archer for the original story –b.archer@irishnews.com

Proposed British government (UK) to referendum rules on Irish Unity would override the ‘simple majority’ terms of the Good Friday Agreement

“Because of the nature of the British constitutional legal system an Act of the Westminster Parliament would prevail in domestic law, policy and practice” prof Colin Harvey 

‘If enacted the bill would require a majority equal to or greater than 60 per cent of those who vote in the referendum. Rui Vieia/PA Wire

NEW proposals to change British (UK) referendum rules requiring almost two-thirds support for any constitutional change would override the ‘simple majority’ terms of the Good Friday Agreement and the Scottish parliaments right to vote on Scotland’s Independence.

The Referendum Criteria Bill which will change the constitution’s of the North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales

The Referendum Criteria Bill, which is awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords, proposes that “constitutional or parliamentary arrangements” can only be changed on a turnout of more than 55 per cent of the electorate. If enacted it would require a majority of 60 per cent to be successful. According to the British (UK’s) leading research body on constitutional change ‘The Constitution Unit’, the 1998 Northern Ireland Act and GFA “are cast in terms of a simple majority vote in a North of Ireland poll, and with no minimum turnout threshold: 50 per cent +1 suffices”, with a “binary” choice “between remaining in the UK and a United Ireland”.

Shame Féin Sold Out To The Brits

There would be a simultaneous poll in the Republic. The Private Members Bill by Lord Cormack, does not have the official backing from the government and without it is unlikely to become legislation. It is not thought to have been floated specifically as a means of thwarting the recent upsurge in a call for a border poll, with the Conservative peer on the record with his dismay over the way Brexit was handled. Lord Carmack (pictured in the featured image ) has a fractious relationship with the Johnson administration, having criticised the now Prime Minister and then Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt for “an appalling spectacular” of appealing to just “500 paid-up members… in Northern Ireland” during the Tory election campaign during “the gravest crisis in Hong Kong since the handover”.

WARNING: Prof Colin Harvey

However, the government benches will take note of what support it attracts as the makes its way through the formal processes in two houses. Private Members’ bills introduced in the Lords can only continue to the Commons if an MP supports the bill and even then are unlikely to have much, if any, time devoted to them. But if they do garner support in the Commons they are more likely to pass the Lords on their return and so become law. QUB Professor of Human Rights Law Colin Harvey (pictured above) stressed that as a Private Members’ Bill rather than a government bill it “is unlikely to go anywhere”.

Private Members Bill in the House of Lords

“However, the thinking that it reflects is worrying. Applying these criteria to a referendum on the constitutional future of this region would, in my view, breach the terms of the Good Friday Agreement,” he said. “Because of the nature of the British constitutional legal system [with its continuing emphasis on parliamentary supremacy] an Act of the Westminster Parliament would prevail in domestic law, policy and practice.

“That constitutional legal fact remains a major challenge for all those who wish to see the effective implantation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements. And also why there must be an agreed British-Irish framework for taking forward the envisaged referendums on this Island.”

RHI DRAFT LAW TO BE TABLED 

A DRAFT law tackling many of the flaws in government in the North of Ireland uncovered during the RHI inquiry is to be tabled.

RHI the #DUP/UDA – FOR FRUAD AND ULSTER

It would create a specific criminal offence for a minister or special adviser to communicate confidential government information to a third party, proposer Jim Allister said. The bill would reduce the number of special advisers within the Executive Office from eight to four and impose a cap on their pay. It would also make plain that the appointing minister is “accountable and responsible” for their actions. 

The TUV leader said: “I am throwing the gauntlet down to them.

“Are you for transparency and proper record keeping, bringing things under control or is it so much talk?”

His proposals would ensure the activities and meetings of ministers and special advisers were adequately recorded within the civil service.

It would make it a criminal offence for any minister, civil servant or adviser to use personal accounts for emails involving government business.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Bimpe Archer for the original story 

Follow these links to find out more: https://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-3136932-Dec2016/

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