The new director of public prosecutions has reignited the debate over televising criminal trials, saying cameras in court would ‘bring a breath of fresh air’ to proceedings.

In an interview for Channel 4 News, Keir Starmer said: ‘The more the public know about the criminal justice system the better. Subject to appropriate safeguards, there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be televising of very many cases.’

His remarks followed a speech in which Starmer outlined his vision of a ‘transparent, contemporary’ CPS.

Roger Smith, director of civil liberties group Justice, said he supports the principle of transparency, but would be ‘cautious and hostile’ to filming most parts of criminal trials, because it might deter witnesses from giving evidence, or adversely affect their evidence.

But Mark Stephens, media partner at London firm Finers Stephens Innocent, said: ‘All you’re doing is opening up the public gallery to a wider audience in response to the technology available to do it.’

He predicted: ‘Cameras will come in incrementally, starting in the appellate courts, then the civil courts of record, and gradually move in to the criminal courts.’

The Ministry of Justice said: ‘Ministers have agreed to hear the views of broadcasters on this issue. However they are not convinced that there is a case for televising court cases and there are no plans to change the current arrangements.’