Attorney General Issues Strict Warning Over Sarah Everard Case Reporting
Police Officer Arrested in Sarah Everard Disappearance
A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of Sarah Everard on the evening of 3 March. The case has sparked intense public interest and media coverage.
Attorney General Demands Responsible Reporting
The Attorney General, Rt. Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, has stepped in to warn against publishing anything that could risk a fair trial. He stresses that any material creating a substantial risk of prejudicing justice must be withheld.
This includes posts and reports online. Publishing such content could lead to contempt of court charges and endanger the fairness of future legal proceedings.
No Presumption of Guilt Allowed
Ellis highlights the critical rule: do not publish material that assumes or asserts the guilt of the arrested officer. “That’s for the jury to decide,” he says, underlining the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
Careful With Unproven Allegations and Personal Attacks
The Attorney General also warns journalists and public users to avoid sharing untested allegations or anything damaging the character of the suspect. Such content could be ruled inadmissible and may also be contempt of court.
Editors, publishers, and social media users are urged to seek legal advice to ensure full compliance with the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The Attorney General’s Office is closely monitoring media coverage of this sensitive investigation.
