Labour Peer “Unfit” to Face Prosecution Over Abuse Claims

Labour peer Greville Janner is “not fit” to stand trial for alleged sexual abuse due to the extent of his dementia according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The peer, who suffers from dementia will not face trial despite evidence against him warranting a criminal trial according to the CPS.

Charges of Sexual Abuse

Had the peer been able to face charges, the 86-year-old would have been charged with 14 indecent assaults on a male under 16 between 1969 and 1988, with more than 12 people coming forward to claim indecent assault.

A statement from the CPS said it "considers that the evidential test was passed on the basis that the evidence is sufficient to have warranted charging and prosecuting Lord Janner in relation to the particular charges."

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders stated that such was the condition of Janner, he would be unable to face criminal proceedings, and that due to the nature of the illness, there was no risk of reoffending.

“Disappointing Decision.”

Leicester Police condemned the decision to not take criminal action stating that the decision was “the wrong one” with Assistant Chief Constable Roger Bannister stating that the force would look to see if they could appeal the decision.

In a statement he said: “There is credible evidence that this man carried out some of the most serious sexual crimes imaginable over three decades against children who were highly vulnerable and the majority of whom were in care.

“I am extremely worried about the impact the decision not to prosecute him will have on those people, and more widely I am worried about the message this decision sends out to others, both past and present, who have suffered and are suffering sexual abuse.

“We are exploring what possible legal avenues there may be to challenge this decision and victims themselves have a right to review under a CPS procedure.”

The family of Lord Janner stated that the allegations were not true and that he was innocent of any wrong-doing.

Denied Opportunity For Criminal Proceedings

The Crown Prosecution Service stated that several errors from the police in the past had cost possible victims the opportunity of a trial, with previous accusations as early as 1991 going without further action.

Their statement said, "It is a matter of deep regret that the decisions in relation to the previous investigations were as they were."

"Had the previous decisions been to prosecute, as they should have been, Lord Janner would have had the opportunity to challenge the evidence and defend himself through the trial process, with a jury ultimately deciding on his guilt or innocence some years ago."

They added  "It is of obvious and particular concern that such proceedings did not take place as a result of what the CPS now consider to be wrong decisions".

Lord Janner was made a peer after he retired from being an MP in 1997. Sir Richard Henriques, has been asked to conduct an independent review into the CPS' decision not to take further legal action.

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