Bhatt Murphy clients Sally Davidson, Cathy Eastburn and Oliver Rock are preparing to issue legal proceedings against the Metropolitan Police in connection with their arrests on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after they put up posters sharing information about an established constitutional principle.
The three put up posters referring to the principle of ‘jury equity’; the right or power of a jury to acquit a defendant in a criminal trial according to their conscience. Jury equity was re-affirmed as “a principle of our constitution” in the recent case of HM Solicitor General v Warner, in which the High Court refused the Solicitor General permission to prosecute Ms Warner for contempt of court after she held up a similar sign. The Court in that case stated that it was “fanciful” to suggest that Ms Warner’s actions could amount to contempt.
Despite the clear judgment in Ms Warner’s case – which the government is not appealing – the Metropolitan Police continue to maintain that it was lawful for them to arrest our clients in connection with the more serious offence of perverting the course of justice.
More information on the case can be found here: https://gofund.me/c3992471
Joanna Khan acts for the Claimants.
