The consultations begin (almost)

Andrew Blick (London, Houses of Parliament): Some interesting consultation papers are emerging from the government's constitutional reform programme: but they are not yet receiving the attention and scrutiny they merit. One of them is 'A Consultation on the Role of the Attorney General'. The post of Attorney General is constitutionally anomalous: its holder is appointed by the Prime Minister, yet required to act as 'guardian of the public interest' with regard to important decisions such as bringing (or not bringing) criminal prosecutions. The latter role surely requires execution by someone who is - and is seen to be - independent of the executive. Already the government has proposed that the A-G will no longer be able to direct prosecutors in individual criminal cases - a step forward, though there will be exceptions for 'national security', a category often abused to avoid political embarrassment. We now need to address broader issues - for instance, if Parliament is to be asked to endorse military actions - as is intended - should it not be should be entitled to view in full the advice provided by the A-G on their legality? If Parliament was not in recess, perhaps it could be discussing these issues.