Sir, I am an Australian lawyer temporarily working in the UK who has had experience both as an Australian prosecutor and defence counsel.
Controlled operations legislation has existed for several years in Australia, enabling undercover operatives to lawfully commit specified offences (report, “Massively illegal police sting costs taxpayer £25m”, July 29) so as to gather evidence of serious criminal activity by the true criminals. The Federal Crimes Act, for example, sanctions controlled operations concerning serious drug offences and Queensland’s Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 contains checks and balances which ensure safeguards for both undercover police and those being investigated.
Similar legislation is clearly needed in the UK so as to avoid allegations of illegality where police are trying to gather evidence in the public interest.
Judge George Bathurst Norman’s suggestion that the UK Parliament should legislate to make entrapment a defence would be to take a backward step when controlled operations legislation is clearly the way forward.
Yours faithfully,
JULIAN WAGNER,
76 Hollyshaw Lane,
Whitkirk,
West Yorkshire LS15 7AG.
July 29.