Contempt action

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 9

Contempt action

NZPA London The British Attorney-Gen-eral (Sir Michael Havers) is to seek jail orders against two editors following publication of articles during a trial at Leicester Crown Court involving the death of a Mongol baby, the “Standard” has reported. Sir Michael was given leave yesterday by the Queen’s Bench Divisional Court in London to seek committal and other penalties for alleged contempt against David English, editor of the “Daily Mail,” and Sir John Junor, editor of. the “Sunday Express.” He was also given leave to bring contempt proceedings against Associated Newspapers Group and Express Newspapers, publishers of the “Mail” and the “Express.” The trial, in which Dr Leonard Arthur was cleared of the attempted murder of John Pearson, a baby suffering from Down’s syndrome (mongolism), began on October 13. Both . newspapers are accused of publishing articles during the trial which “created a substantial risk that the course of justice in the trial would be seriously impeded or prejudiced.” Andrew Collins, for the Attorney-General, told Lord Justice Ormrod and Mr Justice Woolf that he would be seeking committal orders against both editors and other penalties against them and ■ the publishing companies. .