My post yesterday, I now realise, was suffused with a heavy weariness. I do find Fayed and his litigious crusading pretty tiresome: though I suppose I have to forgive him the Neil Hamilton nonsense, since it was Hamilton who sued him rather than the other way round. But on reflection I'm not simply fed up, but really concerned by his criticism of Scott Baker LJ.
This inquest is being heard by a coroner and jury: it will be quite unacceptable if one interested participant, aided by media spokesmen, keeps up a running critical commentary on the coroner's conduct of the case. Over the six months of the hearing, if this is kept up it's inconceivable that the jurors will be unaware of Fayed's views. How are they supposed to discount them? I'm afraid that the antics of Fayed http://www.magliettedacalcioit.com and his media team may prejudice proceedings.
Which is where the Contempt of Court Act comes in. If he does conclude that noises off cause a substantial risk of serious prejudice to the proceedings, I don't think the coroner will have any power to deal with them, beyond directing the jury to disregard them: his only real sanction would be I think to refer the matter to the Attorney General. Let's hope Fayed and his team show respect for the proceedings so that that kind of thing will be unnecessary.
Do you suppose that the active seeking of media attention is not just bieng encouraged by Mr Fayed’s medical team, but also of his top notch counsel?
I hope not, Minx. I think if I were Michael Mansfield I’d think it my duty to raise this with my lay clients, make clear that there should be caution in media comments and that points about the conduct of proceedings should go through me to the coroner rather than through press statements, with the risk that arguments from which the jury ought to be exlcuded will nonetheless come to their notice.
In case you missed this rather irreverent offering…
The Dodi Al-Fayed Prayer.
Our Dodi Al-Fayed, who art in heaven,
Dodi Al-Fayed be thy name.
Thy time has come,
thy will be ignored,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our Daily Express.
And forgive us our French Underpasses,
as we forgive the driver who crashed and killed us.
And lead us not into another tunnel,
but deliver us from Henri Paul.
For thine is the Mercedes Benz,
the power and the glory. remember me for ever and ever.
Amen
Link