Michael Vaughan poses a clichéd question that lawyers are really tired of hearing
An England cricket legend has blocked a prominent blogging barrister on Twitter after he tried to explain why a lawyer would defend a terrorist.
Just days after the terrorist attacks in Brussels, former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned how lawyers can defend those responsible for such atrocities. Addressing his 920,000 followers, the former batting-supremo — who retired in 2009 — tweeted:
Seriously how can any Lawyer work to Defend terrorists ???
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2016
Responding to Vaughan’s tweet, the Secret Barrister — who is an anonymous junior barrister specialising in criminal law — provided a link to a blog post that addresses Vaughan’s query.
.@MichaelVaughan Are you genuinely interested in the answer? See here, at para 9 and 10: https://t.co/EuarAQgJfC
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) March 26, 2016
Paragraphs nine and ten of the the helpful blog explain how barristers can defend an individual who is charged with a particularly grotesque crime, such as terrorism.
The unnamed barrister explains that in the interests of “fairness” someone accused of such a crime should receive “suitably qualified” representation, especially when he or she is up against a “state agency with an annual budget of £600 million”.
James Turner QC, a criminal barrister at 1 King’s Bench Walk, also responded to Vaughan’s tweet, questioning the cricketer’s thought process.
@MichaelVaughan : So should it be the lawyer who gets to make the judgment as to whether any given individual IS a terrorist?
— James Turner QC (@JamesTurner37) March 24, 2016
Despite being provided with the answer, Vaughan continued to question how lawyers can defend individuals accused of terrorism.
No .. I just don't know what kind of person would want to defend a terrorist ..!! That's all I am saying .. https://t.co/1gpSvdFnLM
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2016
Having “politely” responded to Vaughan’s question, the Secret Barrister then discovered he had been blocked by Vaughan.
Morning all. Due to being #LawyersBlockedByMichaelVaughan I can't see whether he's reconsidered his views. Has he? pic.twitter.com/DEIV5Q5QbD
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) March 27, 2016
That’s just not cricket.