"We deplore this weak and unjust decision", said Burglar Bill and Burglar Betty today after being charged with theft of three packets of razor blades from Boots. In a statement released to the press the Burglars described the decision of the CPS to press charges as "unprecedented posturing".
Well not quite. The statement was actually released by Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie, after they were charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. But that doesn't make it any less ridiculous.
The Brooks' don't get it. They are in the hands of the law now. The days when issuing a press statement might make their troubles go away are long gone.
If the Brooks' wanted to have a go at stopping the case they could conceivably Judicially Review the decision. But all the CPS have to demonstrate is that there is a realistic prospect of a successful prosecution. In other words they just have to show a prima facie case. The best lawyers the prosecution have got will have gone over this with a fine tooth comb, and you can bet your bottom dollar the prima facie case can be made out. In the absence of clear political motives for the prosecution, the Brooks' will just have to sit this one out and hope the jury is on their side.
The Brooks' may well be innocent, but I have a feeling that in Rebekah's case particularly the notion that no-one is above the law will come as a surprise for her as unwelcome as it is well-deserved.
