Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg speaks out
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent Tory, has spoken out against privacy laws that prevent the press from naming suspected criminals until they are formally charged. He believes that this goes against the long-standing tradition of open justice in England.
Legal challenges and privacy rights
Several legal challenges, citing the European Convention of Human Rights, have led to high-profile individuals being arrested but not publicly named. The Supreme Court's ruling in 2022 stated that suspects have a "reasonable expectation of privacy," sparking debate over the balance between privacy rights and public interest.
Protecting public interest
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg argues that withholding the names of suspected criminals is detrimental to the public's right to information. He recently proposed considering measures in the next Conservative manifesto to reduce the powers of the ECHR and uphold transparency in justice proceedings.
Speaking at the University of Buckingham, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between individual privacy rights and the public's right to know.
