Chief prosecutor backs idea of televised trials

The director of Public Prosecutions has backed calls for some court proceeding to be televised.

Keir Starmer QC said proposals from broadcasters would allow the public to "see justice". He told Sky News' Murnaghan programme yesterday: "It is the modern way of making sure the public actually see justice."

He acknowledged there must be safeguards when dealing with vulnerable witnesses and other issues."Cameras should be allowed and the judge should be able to have discretion to order that a particular part of the trial cannot be shown," he said.

"If people saw prosecutors explaining the case and the defence and saw the judge giving the sentence to the individual, they would have much greater faith in what is going on in court."

Mr Starmer added that while there was not universal agreement on the issue, the balance was now "tipping towards those in favour".