The Solicitor General has insisted that she knew nothing about the China spy case when decisions were being taken to drop it and pointedly refused to say the same for Richard Hermer when offered to. Good luck at that committee, Dick…
Ellie Reeves was asked in a series of Parliamentary questions “on which date the Attorney General was informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the decision not to proceed with the case,” “when the Attorney General informed the Prime Minister of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ intention not to proceed with the prosecution,” and “what steps she took to help prevent the non-continuation of the prosecution.” Mostly about Hermer – she is in his office…
The Attorney General’s Office answered this afternoon on Reeves’ behalf:
“As you are aware, I was appointed to the role of Solicitor General on 6 September. The Security Minister gave a statement to the House on 15 September stating that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had taken the decision to not proceed with the prosecutions of Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.
Decisions to prosecute are, rightly, made independently of Government by the CPS. Once consent is granted, the CPS is responsible for conducting the case.
I had no input into or knowledge of the case being dropped until it became public knowledge.
The decision to offer no evidence was a decision made by the CPS, without any political influence, including by the Attorney General and me, as the CPS has already confirmed several times.”
Note the forward line regarding Reeves’ supposed non-knowledge of the legal situation at the time. No such assurances are offered on behalf of Attorney General Hermer. It’s every man for himself…
Jenrick and Lord Wolfson have written a letter to the AG with a series of pointed questions about his knowledge of the case. Can’t hide forever…