Corpus Juris &endash; damning verdict from Lords

The House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities has issued a damning report on Corpus Juris, the EU's plan for a common criminal code and the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor. Entitled "Prosecuting Fraud on the Communities' Finances - The Corpus Juris", the Select Committee's report raises serious objections on the grounds that it would involve major changes to UK criminal law, it lacks a proper legal basis in the EU and EC Treaties, there are serious questions about its feasibility, the EPP would not be accountable to elected to democratically elected representatives and there is inadequate protection for defendants rights (individuals could be held in custody without charge, for up to nine months)

Lord Stoddart of Swindon, Chairman of the Campaign for an Independent Britain welcomed the report:: "I am pleased that the Select Committee has analysed Corpus Juris so thoroughly and exposed it for what it really is,i.e. an attempt to take away our traditional right to trial by jury and replace it with a dictatorial European Public Prosecutor with immense powers. Such an arrangement would be an affront to all that we hold dear in this country.

"What I find particularly astonishing is that Labour MEP's voted so overwhelmingly in favour of such a flawed and dangerous proposal in the European Parliament on 13th April. I was under the impression that it wasthe policy of Her Majesty's Government to oppose Corpus Juris and to veto it if necessary. In fact, only one British MEP and an Ulster Unionist voted against the proposal. It would be interesting to know if the Prime Minister supports this deliberate vote by his MEP's. The Corpus Juris vote makes it abundantly clear that British MEP's put the interests of the EU before those of the people they are supposed to represent".

Source: Campaign for an Independent Britain