"I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP [director of public prosecutions] and AG [attorney general] consent within the six-month statutory timelimit set by section 127."
"We consider that the first written charge was issued on 21 May 2025 and this was when the proceedings were instituted for the purposes of Tact [Terrorism Act 2000]. That was a nullity because of the terms of section 117(2) and (2A) of Tact."
"It is a matter of concern that a charge, which both the DPP and the attorney general considered met both parts of the full code test for crown prosecutors, will never now be determined."
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, a 28-year-old rapper performing as Mo Chara, faced terrorism charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a November 2024 performance at London's O2 Forum. The chief magistrate initially rejected the case due to procedural errors in how it was brought, specifically citing missing director of public prosecutions and attorney general consent within the required six-month statutory timeframe. Two high court judges upheld this decision, ruling the charge unlawful. The judges determined that the proceedings were instituted without proper authorization, making the initial charge a nullity. Despite prosecutors believing the case met legal standards for prosecution, procedural failures prevented the case from proceeding.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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