McDowell defends ‘U-turn’ on right to silence

TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell has said his plan to further restrict the right to silence is different to a proposal he rejected in 2003.

But the Green Party last night accused the Justice Minister of electioneering after details of his U-turn on the issue emerged. They believe he is recycling the right-to-silence restriction he rejected in 2003, because crime will be a major issue in the forthcoming election.

A spokesman for Mr McDowell said there was no U-turn involved: “It’s not comparing like with like.”