CPS to face new scrutiny

An independent inspectorate will bolster public confidence in the Crown Prosecution Service, the Government said today.

An independent inspectorate will bolster public confidence in the Crown Prosecution Service, the Government said today.

The beefed-up watchdog will operate independently of the CPS for the first time in its history and bring a "fresh perspective" to the issues facing the newly re-organised body.

The Government said its proposals went even further than the recommendation for a partially independent inspectorate contained in the Glidewell Report published last year and which prompted the overhaul of the organisation.

The entire body - which will be the equivalent of the Prisons and Police inspectorates - will operate separately from the CPS, rather than just the chairman, as advocated by Glidewell.

Under the Bill, the inspectorate, located in a separate building, will report directly to the Attorney General rather than the head of the CPS, publishing an annual report to Parliament.

A "significant" number of its members will be lay people and inspectors will not be drawn from within the CPS.

The inspectorate's remit will also be broadened to include "any matter connected with the workings of the CPS" as well as the quality of decision making on whether or not cases should be prosecuted.

It will also be playing a key role in monitoring the performance of the 42 new CPS areas created by the recent reorganisation and which cover England and Wales.

The changes have been welcomed by the present head of the CPS inspectorate, Stephen Wooler, who is expected to lead the new body which could be created as early as next spring.