A judge has ruled that parts of the trial of Wang Yam, who is charged with the murder of biographer Allan Chappelow, should be out of bounds to the press and public. Padraig Reidy reports
An Old Bailey court today ruled that evidence in the trial, due to begin next week of Wang Yam, 45, should be heard in camera.
Accepting the claim made by Mark Ellison QC, acting for prosecution, that there was a “serious possibility that the Crown may not proceed with the case” should it take place in open court, Mr Justice Ousley said that the press and public would be excluded from parts of the trial.
Counsel for the defence, Geoffrey Robertson QC, had claimed that the defendant could not be assured of a fair trial if it were not all held in open court, saying that open reporting of his trial may, for example, “…lead to witnesses coming forward to provide information which will help to clear him of murder”.
Acting on behalf a group of media organisations including the BBC, the Guardian and the Times, Gavin Millar QC had argued that the press had a right to attend the full trial. However, Mr Justice Ousley said the need to protect national security outweighed this right.
Geoffrey Robertson QC said that he was “pretty certain” that the defence would appeal the judge’s decision.
