Appeal court could be first to have cameras

The debate on allowing filming in selected courts will be had "as soon as parliamentary time allows", the government confirmed today.

Junior justice minister Jonathan Djanogly said the government was keen to proceed but added: "This is not going to happen overnight."

Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on televised court proceedings, he agreed with media select committee chairman John Whittingdale that filming the Court of Appeal would be a suitable first step.

"Over a longer period we do expect to extend broadcasting of sentencing to crown court," he said.

Djanogly said "proper safeguards" would need to be introduced to protect victims and witnesses, and to avoid "show trials".

"Television must not give offenders the opportunity for theatrical public display," he said. "Judges will have the power to stop filming. Victims and witnesses will not be filmed."

Whittingdale, who started the debate in parliament today, said Britain was one of the few countries left in the developed world not to allow televised courts.

He said the ban was introduced to stop stills photographers distracting the courtroom with their flashbulbs - but that his experience of being filmed in parliament was that the cameras today were unobtrusive.

He pointed to the trials of MPs for abuse of expenses, and the recent Stephen Lawrence trial, as examples of cases where there was a "huge public interest" to see proceedings being carried out.

Whittingale said: "This is a reform whose time has not just come but is well overdue" but added: "There is no doubt it is going to take some time" because it will require primary legislation.

The BBC, ITN and Sky have written to the three main party leaders calling for legislation allowing televised cases to be included in the Queen's speech this May.

Justice secretary Ken Clarke announced last September that the government was keen to overturn the ban on TV cameras "to improve transparency and public understanding of court".

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