Lord Janner sex abuse trial could still go ahead despite peer's death

Alleged victims of Lord Janner could still have their cases heard in court, despite the former Labour peer's death.

Lord Janner was accused of multiple child sex offences dating back to the 1960s and a "trial of the facts" - a special trial for suspects unfit to stand trial - was due to take place in April.

Janner died aged 87 at the weekend after a long battle with dementia.

But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has appeared to suggest that criminal proceedings could still go ahead.

The former Labour peer died last weekend. Credit: Reuters

In a statement, the CPS said:

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Alison Saunders had ruled that Lord Janner should not be charged with alleged child sex crimes because of his ill health.

But after a fierce public backlash, the decision was overturned in April.

A High Court judge ruled earlier this month that Lord Janner's "deteriorating and irreversible" dementia meant he could not stand trial in person.

Liz Dux, a specialist abuse lawyer who represents six of Lord Janner's alleged victims, said it was of the "utmost importance" that a hearing into the allegations goes ahead.

"If all evidence had been prepared for the trial in April, his alleged victims are asking why this can't go ahead following his death in any event."