31 August 2005

Justice delayed is justice denied

This case (here in The Times) seems to be dragging on a bit:
"LORD WATSON of Invergowrie appeared for a second time in court yesterday accused of setting fire to two curtains at a hotel and putting lives in danger.
The Labour peer and MSP pleaded not guilty to two charges of wilful fire-raising when he made his first public appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Tuesday.
Yesterday Paul Burns, his defence solicitor, gained a further continuation of the case, which will now resume tomorrow. Mr Burns told Sheriff Nigel Morrison that investigations and discussions were continuing between the Crown and the defence and he expected these to be concluded within 24 to 48 hours. The Crown did not object.
The charges relate to an alleged incident in the early hours of November 12 last year at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House Hotel, shortly after the end of the Scottish Politician of the Year awards dinner.
The first charge alleges that in the hotel’s reception area, Lord Watson set fire to a curtain which, along with a curtain pole, walls and a ceiling, was damaged and the lives of patrons at the hotel were endangered. The second charge alleges that he set fire to a curtain in the hotel’s Yellow Room which was also damaged and that again lives were put in danger."

The alleged incident took place last November but "investigations and discussions" are still continuing. Intriguing...

No comments: