I listen with interest to what my hon. Friend says and to his example of unique circumstances. The hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh South West (Joanna Cherry) made the point that this Bill makes some people less or more equal before the law—that it was an unfair application—but it does not prevent anyone from being prosecuted for a crime that they have committed, nor does it introduce special defences for people, so that some of these offences allow them to have an excuse. All it does is ask a prosecutor to have exceptional regard for the circumstances that those concerned may find themselves in and also, where an investigation has already happened, to think about the level of new evidence that should be applicable.
Overseas Operations (Service Personnel And Veterans) Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Ben Wallace
(Conservative)
in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Overseas Operations (Service Personnel And Veterans) Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
680 c1007 
Session
2019-21
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Librarians' tools
Timestamp
2024-04-28 13:10:22 +0100
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