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Decision to prosecute AG was healthy for democracy says senior law academic

The decision to prosecute the Island's Attorney General  should be regarded as healthy for democracy - and proof that those in the highest office can be held to account.

That's the view from a senior law academic at the University of Central Lancashire, after criminal proceedings against Stephen Harding ended this week.

The Manx government's most senior legal advisor has been formally acquitted on charges of committing perjury and acts against public justice, after a jury twice failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the case.

Professor Richard Taylor is Director of Research at the  Lancashire Law School.

He's reflected on the need for a Manx jury of seven to reach a verdict they all agree.

In England and Wales, where 12 jurors deliberate, majority verdicts are allowed:

 

Pictured: Professor Richard Taylor

 

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