With his boss in Russia promoting London’s legal services, it was left to under-secretary of state for justice Jonathan Djanogly to take justice questions in parliament last week. Responding to Liberal Democrat Tom Brake, the minister, known for his attention to detail during the passage of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, inadvertently announced a change in government policy. Brake asked: ‘Will the minister rule out the use of closed material proceedings in inquest cases and cases that do not involve national security?’ Djanogly answered: ‘My understanding is that that will be the case.’

Obiter got on the blower to the Ministry of Justice to clarify the apparent policy U-turn on closed proceedings. The ministry indicated that no decision had yet been made. Explaining the minister’s answer, an MoJ spokeswoman said: ‘The question was indistinct and/or the minister misheard the "and" - and thought he said "in".’