Ex senior crown prosecutor backs private prosecution of Dominic Cummings
By Nicola Laver
Nazir Afzal, a solicitor and former regional chief prosecutor, throws his hat into the ring saying the law is to be applied equally and fairly to all
Nazir Afzal, a solicitor and former regional chief prosecutor, has thrown his hat into the ring saying the law “is to be applied equally and fairly to all, or to nobody”.
His backing adds impetus to the campaign, being driven by Hodge Jones and Allen and Matthew Ryder QC, to persuade the police to re-investigate Cummings and prosecute him for breaching the coronavirus regulations if the evidence is there.
Afzal, who has lost his own brother to covid-19, said he was “horrified” by the prime minister “and others wrapping a shield” around the senior adviser.
He said there has to be consequences for law breaking otherwise the public loses confidence in those meant to enforce the law, and lose trust in the law itself.
Schwarz, who said Afzal feels he has “personal responsibility to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done”, said the campaign is pursuing two “serious concerns” – the first relating to Durham police.
He said they appear to have failed to follow up significant allegations about breaches of the regulations by Cummings while he was in Durham; and that neither the chief constable nor the police crime commissioner have responded to complaints made by the previous MP on behalf of the public.
He added: “Similarly, the Metropolitan Police do not appear to have investigated properly, promptly or at all, allegations serious allegations about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour in London and elsewhere.
“Nor have they responded to the complaints made by members of public about his misconduct.”
He said the public’s “continued sense of injustice, frustration and anger can only begin to be addressed if there is openness and rigour on the part of the police.
“Otherwise the perception remains and mounts that there is one rule for ordinary citizens and another for those in government."
Afzal commented: “The big divide was never between leave and remain, nor black and white, nor men and women, nor north and south.
“It's between those with power and those without.
“The power differential is the greatest cause of inequality.”
He went on: “The law is to be applied equally and fairly to all, or to nobody. It needs to act, as I hope I have done throughout my career, without fear or favour.”