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Problems for the DPP

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
AuthorJames Morton
DOI10.1350/jcla.67.6.443.19436
Published date01 December 2003
Date01 December 2003
Subject MatterOpinion
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OPINION
Problems for the DPP
James Morton
Almost before he has taken his seat there has been controversy over the
appointment of Ken Macdonald as the new Director of Public Prosecu-
tions. There has been comment that he has a minor conviction for
sending a small amount of cannabis to a friend; that his stance as a
defender of terrorists is incompatible with being the DPP; that he is
known to be apathetic to prison as a means of reform and finally that he
has no experience of prosecuting. It is also held against him that he is in
the same chambers as Cherie Blair and the appointment is yet another
which smacks of cronyism. In reply he says he believes he has met the
Prime Minister on only one occasion. Are any or all of these likely to
have an impact on the prosecution service over the next five years or
however long he chooses to stand the heat in what has gradually
become a very hot kitchen indeed? It cannot have helped him that a
member of the Crown Prosecution staff has just been arrested for
conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in what is bound to be a very
high-profile case. It has nothing whatsoever to do with him and indeed
the person in question may be acquitted, but when lists are drawn over
his years in service, this is the sort of thing which will appear on the
debit side.
Over the years, particularly recently, incumbents have been given an
increasingly rough ride by the press and Parliament alike and one might
ask why anyone would wish to take up the bed of nails which con-
stitutes the office of Director. A deep sense of public duty and, for some,
the kudos and knighthood which goes with the office have proved to be
sufficient. Mr Macdonald was, it appears, the unanimous choice of the
selection committee. If he is good enough, then it does not matter if he
has been in Ms Booth’s chambers or any other.
The problems with the appointment of the new DPP would seem to
be twofold. Although the press has latched on to it with some glee, in
today’s world it does...

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