Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Deferred
Publish the CPS's new media protocol promptly and ensure shared understanding with partners.
Recommendation
Notwithstanding potential changes to contempt of court laws, we recommend that the CPS publish its new media protocol as soon as possible and keep this updated at least every five years or earlier if there is a significant change 33 to the media landscape. It should also work with partner organisations in the police and media to ensure there is a clear shared understanding of its interpretation and use. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17) Policing response to disorder
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response discusses the Home Office's ongoing use of open-source material and plans to strengthen this capability, noting that specific proposals and financial investment are still under consideration and decisions have not yet been taken. It does not address the recommendation regarding the CPS publishing a new media protocol.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The CPS supported the committee to scrutinise the process by which information was shared with the public following the appalling attack in Southport last year. The Media Protocol is a joint agreement with CPS, policing and the media which provides guidance for how prosecution material in criminal trial proceedings is shared with the media. The CPS is currently reviewing and updating the protocol with policing and media to ensure it takes account of changes to legislation, policy and the media landscape to clearly set out what information or prosecution material can be released to the media. This work began before the 2024 summer disorder began. A public consultation seeking views on a revised draft Media Protocol and User Guidance was launched in January 2025 and closed in March 2025. This is now in the process of reviewing all the responses we received and working with partners to agree an updated version of the protocol. The intention is to publish the revised media protocol and user guidance in autumn, alongside a summary of the consultation responses, with supporting training and communication to ensure there is a clear understanding of the protocol and its use. The protocol will be kept under joint review. Alongside this, the CPS supports proposals for law reform which will make the application of contempt law clearer and simpler – especially when linked to heightened matters of general public interest such as public safety or national security. The CPS has responded to the Law Commission’s supplementary consultation in full. 2. Policing response to the disorder
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