Judge criticises UK attorney general as top prosecutor admits Herzog immunity ‘error’ by Imran Mulla and Areeb Ullah

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Services has issued a rare apology to a campaigning group for giving false information on why the Israeli President could not be arrested after claiming that the visiting head of state had immunity from possible arrest, a court heard. 

Speaking in a High Court hearing on Thursday night, the attorney general’s office further refused to disclose why he blocked the application by Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA).

Meanwhile Justice Martin Chamberlain criticised the attorney general’s office and the Crown Prosecution Service for not clarifying the mistake earlier.

During court proceedings, the attorney general’s office stated that the information provided by the Crown Prosecution Service that Herzog was immune from arrest was incorrect.

… FOA chair Ismail Patel told MEE that “there are significant dossiers of evidence” the CPS “has failed to consider”, and said FOA sought to challenge the decision to reject the application on that basis.

He added that the attorney general not disclosing the reason for his decison means he is “above scrutiny, beyond accountability, and outside the reach of the public he is meant to serve.

“This chilling position means a public servant can refuse justice in cases involving genocide and war crimes without ever having to justify their decision. It is nothing less than a betrayal of cherished values of fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.”