Mary Henry (Independent)

I raised this matter previously so I will not labour the point. It concerns the hearings and stress in respect of whether they will be heard in public. I cannot understand why a person, such as a court reporter, who attends and reports on family law cases in an anonymous fashion could not report such hearings. Whatever criticism some journalists may have had of the work, I believe it appears to have been excellent. I am anxious about this provision because I have known complainants who did not pursue their complaint because the conditions under which the Medical Council's fitness to practise committee operated were secretive. Complainants did not go before it with what I considered genuine complaints because the complaints were of a very personal sexual nature.

I am concerned the same sort of pattern may occur in this context. I am aware the council may decide to hear some or all of an application in private but it might be preferable for a person such as court reporter in the Courts Service to be in attendance and with the agreement of the complainant and, unless the reason for not permitting the proceedings to be heard in public was totally irrational, for the proceedings to be published.