`Civvy' juries could sit in army courts

Civilian assessors or juries could be introduced into military courts trying serious crimes, under reforms the Government yesterday pledged to consider.

In a rare example of "pluralist" politics, Roger Freeman, the Minister of Defence Procurement, also disclosed the Government's willingness to hold all-party talks to ensure that a satisfactory system was agreed.

Courts-martial often try serious criminal cases abroad where no British judge or counsel is available.

The pledge to Eric Martlew, Labour's defence spokesman, of a bipartisan approach came after a strong protest from George Galloway, Labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead, over the murder of Christine Menzies, a 16-year- old serviceman's daughter, in a military barracks in Germany.

Speaking at defence questions, Mr Galloway told MPs: "The military police, who are just soldiers with military armbands, and miltary prosecutor, who is just a soldier in a wig, blundered the case.

"The murderer then walked free and is still at large and serving in Her Majesty's Services. It is about time we overhauled the archaic system of military justice, which is widely discredited," he said.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed yesterday that use of civilian assessors, counsel or juries could be among the options considered.

Mr Freeman said everyone understood the grief of Christine's parents, who were in the Strangers Gallery to hear the exchanges.