UK: Robbers used to wear suits at the Old Bailey.

A senior police officer yesterday led a stinging attack on ‘money-grabbing’ defence lawyers – comparing them to robbers. Detective Inspector Bob Campany criticised solicitors who encouraged clients to say ‘no comment’ in a police interview – even when they wanted to give their account to police. He claimed the lawyers were keen for defendants to stand trial so they could pocket enormous fees.

‘Years ago, robbers would attend the Old Bailey wearing suits, and they still do, but too often now they masquerade as defence lawyers,’ he said.

The officer has spent 30 years in the Metropolitan Police, and has been investigating murders since the early 1980s. He believes the scales of justice have tilted too far in favour of defendants.

Mr Campany made the unusual attack without fear of censure from his superiors because he is about to retire at the end of the month. He said: ‘Quite often suspects make it clear they want to give their account in a police interview, but once they have spoken to their legal representatives they are almost without exception advised to make no comment.

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