Lib Dems: Govt must launch investigation into HMCTS evidence IT bug

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to reports that found it took several years for HM Courts & Tribunals Service to react to an IT bug that caused evidence to go missing, be overwritten or appear lost, Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General, Ben Maguire MP, said:

“This news is a shocking and deeply concerning revelation. It’s unacceptable that HM Courts & Tribunals Service would not only neglect to address the IT bug for a number of years, but then allegedly attempt to hide the truth.

“Enormous court backlogs and chronic underinvestment by the last Government has left our justice system on the brink of collapse. Any findings of a cover up would seriously damage the public’s trust in our justice system.

“The Government must launch a full, independent investigation now to uncover any miscarriages of justice and prevent this from happening again. They must also implement their proposed duty of candour for public officials without further delay. Only then will we see an end to the pervasive and deeply harmful culture of cover-up in our public institutions.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

As reported here