News
Trainee excluded from murder interview challenges Police Authority
- 29th January 2010
A trainee solicitor is taking legal proceedings after being excluded from a murder inquiry interview which he tried to attend with his principal.
Paul Campbell has won permission from the High Court to formally challenge the police’s refusal to allow him to attend the interview, on the basis that it was unreasonable and unlawful. The judge said the case raised importance issues which were at stake, and a full hearing will be held in March.
Campbell was expecting to attend the interview of an 18-year-old woman being held in connection with the killing of a Polish man in Newry. She was later released without charge.
But it is alleged the custody sergeant refused him entry on the basis he was an unqualified lawyer and, therefore, not entitled under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. At the March hearing, Campbell will argue that as part of his training he was legally entitled to attend.
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