Judge criticises UK attorney general as top prosecutor admits Herzog immunity 'error'

The UK's Crown Prosecution Services has issued a rare apology to a campaigning group for giving false information on why the Israeli President could not be arrested after claiming that the visiting head of state had immunity from possible arrest, a court heard. 

Speaking in a High Court hearing on Thursday night, the attorney general's office further refused to disclose why he blocked the application by Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA).

Meanwhile Justice Martin Chamberlain criticised the attorney general's office and the Crown Prosecution Service for not clarifying the mistake earlier.

During court proceedings, the attorney general's office stated that the information provided by the Crown Prosecution Service that Herzog was immune from arrest was incorrect. The CPS later acknowledged this mistake.

Middle East Eye understands that as a consequence for this mistake, Frank Ferguson, the CPS's Chief Prosecutor for its counter-terrorism division, sent a rare letter of apology to FOA on Friday for giving the group false information.

Read more: Judge criticises UK attorney general as top prosecutor admits Herzog immunity 'error'