BBC and CPS make drama out of The Verdict

THE CPS is embroiled in angry exchanges with the BBC over its planned screening of a documentary on the service this Wednesday.

The programme, episode two of The Verdict series, has been widely trailed by the BBC, which promises a hard-hitting expose of the service.

But, as The Lawyer went to press, director of public prosecution Barbara Mills QC had still not agreed to appear on the programme to state the CPS case, following protracted squabbling over the conditions governing her interview.

The service is understood to be furious at the way the BBC has handled the programme, with one source complaining that it set out from the start to pursue a "poisonous agenda".

Particularly galling for the CPS is the fact that the Association of First Division Civil Servants is planning to publish its long awaited Mori poll on the morale of its lawyers on Monday.

The findings of the survey are understood to be damning, and the FDA can expect extra publicity because details of the poll will be included in the BBC programme.

Making appearances on the programme will be prosecution barrister David Calvert-Smith QC, who will complain of the effect on the service's performance of constant upheaval, according to the BBC.

A senior magistrate will also describe the CPS's willingness to drop or reduce charges as "outrageous".