Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prosecution Decision: Kettering

Thursday 20 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Crown Prosecution Service reviewed a case involving a large funeral in Kettering held in breach of COVID-19 regulations.
  • CPS determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute as there was no proof the organiser was responsible for excess attendees.
  • Police failed to send the case file to CPS in a timely manner due to a technical error, leading to a delayed review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

A large funeral was held in breach of COVID-19 regulations in Kettering, November 2020. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute the organiser.

Question

For what reason did the Crown Prosecution Service decide not to prosecute the organiser of a large funeral held in breach of COVID-19 regulations in Kettering in November 2020?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case and determined that there was insufficient evidence to continue with proceedings because there was no evidence that the suspect was responsible for the excess numbers present outside the church.

Answered
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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Justice & Courts
Context

There is widespread dismay and outrage in Kettering over the CPS's decision not to prosecute an organiser of a large Irish Traveller funeral during the COVID lockdown. The first hearing was held five months after the funeral took place.

Question

Given that the court hearing for the case was held five months after the funeral, will the Solicitor General confirm when the CPS received the case file from the police?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

The first hearing at the Northampton magistrates court was on 19 April. The police had not previously sent the file through to the CPS due to a technical error, and the file was received by the CPS at 11:30 am on the morning of the hearing.

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