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Friday, October 27, 2006

Parliamentary privilege

In response to a question from Dale Campbell Savours the Lord Chancellor spelt out the implications of the privilege rule for the media.

Dale Campbell Savours had given the name of the woman in a rape trial where the question of rape had been contentious. He did this under Parliamentary privilege.

I thought the meaning of the privilege rule had always been clear to the media but apparently not. The basis of the privilege rule is that you can repeat what was said in Parliament but not take the issue beyond what was said.

If in doubt read the following:

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/61026-0001.htm#06102652000005