Dominic Grieve has announced plans to end the automatic privacy of criminals by giving police the power to disclose offenders’ identities to protect the public and prevent crime.
The Shadow Justice Secretary said that the current Government have prioritised privacy of convicted criminals, including dangerous fugitives, over public protection.
He explained that a flawed policy and legal uncertainty, arising from the Human Rights Act, has left prison officers, probation staff, police and local authorities confused and that the public have been kept in the dark about dangerous offenders in their area.
Dominic pledged that an incoming Conservative Government will:
· Change government policy and issue guidance to those charged with protecting the public on the frontline, so that public protection is made the overriding priority.
· That guidance will include a (non-exhaustive) list of scenarios, indicating where disclosure of the identity a criminal is permissible, most obviously where it would assist the arrest of a fugitive. This will also allow the police to warn local communities of criminals in the area.
· Repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights, which will enable the UK to rebalance laws in favour of public protection.
Dominic said that, under Labour, "the rights of criminals have been put before the rights of law-abiding citizens", and he added:
"A Conservative Government will free the police, probation and prison services to name offenders where necessary in order to protect the public and prevent crime."