On the 10th October 2005 Claire Curtis-Thomas asked the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether (a) the trial judge and (b) the Court of Appeal is permitted to inquire into alleged impropriety by a jury. Harriet Harman (Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs) replied
"A trial judge is permitted to investigate alleged impropriety by jurors before the jury gives its verdict. If the alleged impropriety comes to light after a verdict has been given then the Court of Appeal is permitted to investigate...."
Hansard reference
Acknowledgement