Pinochet law lord `could not be biased'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE LAW LORD who failed to declare his links with a human rights group while sitting in judgment on General Augusto Pinochet was not showing bias, and upheld principles which all reasonable men should support, the House of Lords was told yesterday.
Any revelation by Lord Hoffmann of his association with the charity connected to Amnesty International would have created "a potentially anarchic situation" in which a series of objections could be raised over the make-up of judges' panels, said Alun Jones, QC, for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Jones told the hearing that judges are, and should be, involved in charities, and the principles Lord Hoffmann privately upheld - being opposed to torture and unlawful killings by the state - should meet with the approval of all who uphold the law.
A panel of five law lords is being asked by lawyers for General Pinochet to overturn the Lords' decision that the former Chilean dictator did not have immunity from prosecution.
Lord Hoffmann, a director and chairman of Amnesty's charity arm, Amnesty International Charity Ltd, cast the final and decisive vote in the original three-two ruling.
The chairman of the hearing, Lord Browne-Wilkinson, stated that, if possible, a decision on the case would be given this morning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments