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A senior judge who presided over one of the most serious murder trials in recent years in the North West has publicly criticised Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, over a social media post that, arguably, could have prejudiced the jury’s findings and verdict.

Mr Justice Goose, one of the most experienced criminal trial judges still sitting, is reported by the BBC to have described Jenrick’s post as “ill thought through”. The judge urged the Tory politician, who qualified as a solicitor in 2008, to “exercise caution” amid concerns, made in submissions by both prosecuting and defence counsel, about its potential impact on the trial of gangland killer, Elias Morgan

Earlier this week (2nd September 2025), the  career armed robber was jailed for life with a minimum term of 45 years ordered by Mr Justice Goose after being found guilty of shooting and killing Lenny Scott. The former prison officer had refused years earlier to be corrupted by Morgan.

The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, the Cabinet Minister who oversees the independence of the courts told Parliament’s Constitution Committee on Wednesday morning, that no Parliamentarian should be “risking a contempt and the possibility of a murderer walking free”. There was no finding by the court that Jenrick was in contempt and he has subsequently declined to comment further.

The BBC say that on 2nd July 2025 prosecution and defence lawyers in the Elias Morgan case appeared at Preston Crown Court to raise with the judge a post from Jenrick that they feared could have influenced jurors.

The court heard that Jenrick had published this post on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter): “Lenny exposed corruption and took on the gangster controlling a prison wing. He received threats to his life, but he was left unsupported. Four years later he was shot dead. That will enrage any decent person. We need radical change, now.”

The Liverpool Echo, with a presence in the press seats during the legal exchanges, reported that Caroline Goodwin KC, defence counsel for Morgan, told the judge that the post was in her analysis “appalling, outrageous and egregious” and that Jenrick “should know better”.

“We ask he reflects carefully as a Shadow Lord Chancellor should. We ask he thinks and he refrains from commenting further.”

Prosecutor Alex Leach KC told the judge the post was “problematic” because it presented as fact matters of evidence which were for the jury to deliberate on.

Mr Justice Goose said Jenrick’s post had been “ill thought through given it’s an ongoing trial”.

“I ask anyone who reports on this trial on social media to exercise caution and care before they post what they want to say. I hope the author of this message hears what I say and the reason for it.”

Steps were then taken to ensure Jenrick was informed of the concerns and the post was later removed.

The BBC has provided this analysis of contempt of court rules and their application to social media posts:

“In English law, posts on social media can be deemed capable of prejudicing a jury – and therefore influencing the outcome of a trial.

“There are very few instances of trials having ever been completely derailed by allegedly prejudicial public comment – and judges direct to juries to ignore media reports or comment outside of court.

“However, the risk of jury prejudice is taken exceptionally seriously by judges and can in extreme situations lead to prosecutions.

“There were no submissions in court that any jurors had actually seen the post or that they had been influenced and the judge indicated that the post’s deletion would be the end of the matter.

The Lord Chancellor concluded:

“There are just some very important rules that all politicians with their huge platforms should bear in mind.

“It will be an absolute travesty of justice if somebody walks free from a murder charge because of social media activities and the desire to have a viral tweet. That is, and always will be, unacceptable.”

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Neil Wilby is a journalist, court reporter and transparency campaigner who has reported on police misconduct, regulatory failures, and criminal and civil justice since 2009. He is the founder and editor of Neil Wilby Media, launched in 2015.

Page last updated: Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at 18h55

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