Lord Janner

And here's another perspective:

forensicpsychologist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/psychiatrist-accused-of-faking-dementia.html

what about justice for his victims?

It's simply too late. You can't try someone who is without his faculties.

It is that niggling feeling that facts are being manipulated or exploited to make one rule for some, another for others . Fair enough if you have access to legal advice from top legal "brains" you are going to use it, but he can't use a diagnosis of dementia as a get-out when he has quite recently applied to keep his seat in the Lords. Either you got your marbles or you ain't. Like Ernest Saunders in the Guinness affair, it all seems very convenient and denies justice to those affected. It also frankly leaves a slur on his name and no hope of clearing it, however unlikely that may be. If he were genuinely blameless, would he and his family not want to salvage his reputation?

Exactly, Soutra. I would be banging on the crown court doors demanding to have the case heard so his name wasn't besmirched before he died, if I was so confident about him being blameless.

Why would anyone want to put their 86 year old relative, suffering from advanced Alzheimers disease, through a court case which could last for years?

His name's already been besmirched - the only question being asked on this thread seems to be whether or not he should stand trial, not whether or not he is guilty.

Are you suggesting he is an innocent Ana?

I was absolutely horrified to read about the letter he signed and sent in the past few days. I had completely believed that the 4 psychiatrists could be relied on, especially given the whole climate and context of historic child abuse. Now I feel sort of duped because I really don't see how that letter can be explained given his supposed diagnosis. It had to be typed, printed, signed, posted. What also is awful about it, is that there are genuine cases of unfit to plead and this sort of thing makes it harder for them. I really am finding it hard to believe now that he is unfit although any attempt to overturn that decision will be difficult as, if he is fit, he will no doubt know how to play the dementia card.

I'm not suggesting anything, Iam64. Just pointing out that the only question being asked is whether he should stand trial, therefore his name is already besmirched.

I can understand why his family would not want to put him through a trial even if they believed him to be totally innocent, is all I'm saying.

As for the letter, it could have been typed by anyone and Janner may, in his present state of mental health, be prepared to sign anything if instructed to be someone he trusts.

I'm not making excuses for him, I'm just wondering why the fact that he has signed a document puts the diagnosis of dementia in question.

'by someone he trusts'

I would have thought that some with dementia would still be able to sign his name. It doesn't require much thought. Practically automatic.

I doubt, in fact I am quite sure, that he wouldn't have typed the letter himself.

I take your points Ana but in that case why has 'someone' got involved in the letter? I suppose a possible explanation is that he was getting distressed about wanting to go to the House and that this was a way of placating him. When I think about it, when my MIL was in a home with dementia, some days she asked to go home and was very upset and we would reassure her and tell her that would happen soon and describe the flowers in the garden ( the house had been sold for her fees). I never felt that was wrong - but in this case, the letter didn't have to be sent did it if it was about making him feel better.

I think it did have to be sent. Can you imagine the furore the press would create if he was to turn up at the House of Lords.

I'm not defending him as such. Just the British justice system.

But if he's really got dementia, someone must have poa and could have written on his behalf to the HoL to explain the situation and that he wouldn't be coming back. His family need to have a good think about what is going on

Perhaps the matter of parliamentary expenses and allowances was part of the reason for the letter being sent? Janner and his family will, of course, have expert 'advisors'.

But anyway - we shouldn't have the HoL

<wanders completely off the point>

Here's hoping the British Justice system cares about Janner's victims.

Ana. Janners son is a Barrister. And not just any old Barrister, his chambers are the ones who advise CPS.

That all sounds very reassuring, not.

What possible reason could there be for any person to arrange for someone without mental capacity to retain a seat in the House of Lords?

And why would the House of Lords go along with it, as they have no doubt heard about said mental incapacity?

If it's all to do with humouring him, why should they? It wouldn't be done for anyone in a normal job, they'd just be out on their ear.

MP.Simon Danczuk has certainly got the bit between the teeth today with his letter with 'cross party' alliance from the Lords.

Eloethan,

In response to your post to me Sat 18th 11.13 it might not have escaped a few posters notice on other threads I am getting mighty fed up having every word I say analysed by one or two posters so in response to your post and to make you happy I will say Labour MP Simon Danczuk, Labour Lord Janner, Conservative Leon Briton, Liberal Cyril Smith just to show it is not party political on my part as you sate.

I would have thought had you read my posts you could determine that I have a sincerity about the handling of this case and the subsequent trauma which I know has blighted the lives of the boys/men that were involved.

Can you guys stop scoring points off each other? OK you may both have a point, but does it matter that much?

Soutra. It matters if you feel offended.