Criminal cases dropped over cost - MP claims
Staff at a government laboratory in Lancashire have told an MP that serious criminal cases are being dropped because of the cost of forensic investigations.
Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle dropped the bombshell allegation during a heated debate in Parliament about the planned closure of the Forensic Science Service's laboratory in Chorley.
It came as the powerful Home Affairs select committee decided to launch an emergency investigation into the controversial restructuring of the FSS.
A spokeswoman for the committee told the LEP that a list of witnesses was being drawn up after MPs decided to launch a probe.
An FSS laboratory at Washington House in Euxton has been earmarked for the axe with the loss of 200 jobs, including top crime-fighting scientists.
Up to three labs are closing across the country as part of plans to slash up to 800 jobs.
Mr Hoyle used a 90-minute debate in Westminster Hall to launch a blistering attack on his own government, suggesting that ministers were behaving like "bully boys in suits".
He accused ministers of attempting to bury bad news after making the job cutting announcement on the same day that Gordon Brown appointed Alan Johnson as his new Home Secretary in last month's cabinet reshuffle.
Addressing Home Office minister Alan Campbell, Mr Hoyle said: "It's on the minister's shoulders, it's no use him saying 'not me gov', we don't want bully boys in suits, we want honesty."
Mr Hoyle went on to reveal that staff have told him how cases are being dropped because of the cost of forensic investigations.
He told MPs: "Having spoken to staff, I am told that they find increasingly that cases are being dropped not because of lack of evidence but purely because of the cost of analysing it.
"That is a problem. It is not just small cases; it can involve more serious ones.
"That will happen even more if the Forensic Science Service is not there.
"At what point does it become acceptable to say to a person seriously traumatised physically and mentally that it is not worth the cost to bring their attacker to justice?"
Mr Hoyle said the closure of Chorley's laboratory will mean that forensic scientists have to travel large distances to crime scenes, which increases the risk of crucial evidence being washed away.
"In fact, in a recent case, the scientists had to leave Chorley and get to the scene of a crime because it was pouring down, and the blood was disappearing and the evidence was being washed away.
"If forensic scientists are two hours away from such a crime scene, how is the crime going to be solved?," he said.
He added: "Do we know what we are doing? Have we really thought this through? Are we assisting criminals to get away with murders, rapes and assaults?"
Mr Campbell angrily hit back saying: "Phrases such as 'bully boys in suits' are not only depressing, but misplaced."
He added: "I want to put on the record the fact that the Government's record in tackling crime and dealing with paedophiles, murderers and so on is second to none.
"The suggestion that that would be put at risk in any way, shape or form by not addressing the FSS's needs is ludicrous.
"This is not about saving money.
"The FSS's losses must be addressed, because they involve taxpayers' money, but I assure my honourable friend and others that that is far outweighed by the government's investment in the FSS."
He said the figure of 800 job losses was a "maximum number" and not a "foregone conclusion".
"We are in consultation and no decisions have been made. That includes decisions on the future of each and every site," he added.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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