Jon Venables: Daily Mail and social worker breaks the Official Secrets Act
I get a mention in passing in this informative article from the BBC. Q and A: Bulger killer's release licence
However, it is this article which causes me concern. "The social worker who looked after Bulger killer until release gives a first extraordinary account of his ‘kid gloves’ treatment inside...".
I am aware that all those who work in the Criminal Justice System must sign the Official Secrets Act and this not only binds them during the course of their employment but also binds them to secrecy upon leaving the job.
In addition, there are confidentiality agreements between the MoJ and the private contractors who operate the secure units such as the one where Jon Venables was detained until release on life licence.
Then there is the breach of trust and violation of the confidentiality arrangement between offender and social worker, similar to the solicitor/client, doctor/patient, priest/confessor, and that this could lead to no offender trusting officials once the kiss and tell practice takes hold.
Not only should this social worker be prosecuted but also the Daily Mail for aiding and abetting and inciting the commission of a criminal offence.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
Who is going to prosecute? Venables? I doubt it. I think that is why the mail can take licence on this and push some boundaries.
ReplyDeleteKath: It is for the police to pursue the issue and forward the papers to the CPS to decide whether to prosecute the offending social worker and editor/journalists at the Daily Mail.
ReplyDeleteNobody has a licence to break the law. This is not a case of pushing boundaries, more a case of unaccepatable crossing the boundary of legal into illegal territory.