📧 INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE
CPS v Mó Chara Appeal

Team,

Following yesterday's strategic review, I am pleased to confirm that we will be proceeding with an appeal in R v Mó Chara.

The Chief Magistrate's decision to dismiss represents an important opportunity to clarify legal principles around terrorism offenses and symbolic expression. Our position is robust, our logic is sound, and I have every confidence this appeal will succeed.

Please prepare documentation accordingly. Press release to follow within 24 hours.

James,

Just a thought on the optics here - given that this involves an Irish language artist and the case was dismissed by the Chief Magistrate (quite senior position), might there be concerns about how this looks? Particularly given current Anglo-Irish sensitivities?

Not questioning the legal merit, just wondering if we've considered the broader implications?

Sarah,

Noted. The legal principle at stake outweighs optics concerns. We cannot allow judicial decisions to stand simply because challenging them might "look bad." That would be the end of prosecutorial independence.

Please focus on the legal framework. Communications will handle messaging.

Morning all,

Press coverage summary from our announcement:

• Irish Times: "British CPS Appeals Chief Magistrate's Dismissal of Kneecap Case"
• Guardian: "CPS Under Fire for Appeal in Irish Artist Prosecution"
• BBC: "Questions Raised Over CPS Appeal Strategy"
• Twitter/X: Trending #CPSOverreach, #Kneecap, #FreedomOfExpression

Social media response is... not favorable. Kneecap have posted a statement calling this "British establishment desperation." It's been shared 50,000+ times.

Do we have talking points for interviews?

Patricia,

Talking points:

• Important point of law requires clarification
• Not about targeting individuals or communities
• Respect for judicial process (that's why we're appealing it)
• Cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings (except to say we're right)

Social media noise is irrelevant. We're not making prosecutorial decisions based on Twitter trends.

All,

We've received formal correspondence from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs expressing "deep concern" about the prosecution and appeal.

They reference Good Friday Agreement provisions around cultural expression and request urgent clarification of our position.

This is now escalating diplomatically. Foreign Office is asking for briefing.

Michael,

The Irish government's concerns are noted but this remains a domestic legal matter. We prosecute based on UK law, not diplomatic convenience.

Prepare a holding response emphasizing prosecutorial independence and the legal basis for the appeal.

We will not be backing down.

Team,

Monitoring legal commentary on the appeal. Some concerning patterns emerging:

Bar Council has declined to comment publicly but privately expressed concern about relationship between prosecution service and judiciary.

Rebecca,

I'd like to request a meeting to discuss the Mó Chara appeal. I have significant concerns about:

• The legal basis for the appeal given the Chief Magistrate's reasoning
• Proportionality of pursuing this case
• Institutional reputation damage
• Whether we've properly considered alternatives

I understand the commitment to the appeal, but I believe we should at least consider whether withdrawal might be appropriate given the broader implications.

Happy to discuss at your convenience.

Sarah,

I appreciate your concerns, but the decision to appeal has been made at the highest level following comprehensive review. It is not open to reconsideration.

Your role is to support the institution's decisions, not to question them once made. If you feel unable to do so, we should discuss your position within the organization.

I've copied HR as this represents a concerning lack of institutional alignment.

SITUATION UPDATE:

• Guardian has run editorial: "CPS's Misguided Appeal Undermines Judicial Independence"
• Irish Times front page: "London's War on Irish Culture Continues"
• Kneecap announced UK tour titled "Remember My Face" - all dates sold out
• petition calling for appeal withdrawal has 75,000 signatures
• Three MPs have tabled questions about the case
• Legal commentators increasingly critical

This is not going well.

Urgent request for strategic communications meeting. We need to either change course or double down with better messaging.

Team,

I've read the coverage and I've reviewed the concerns raised. My position is unchanged.

We proceed with the appeal. No exceptions, no reconsideration.

Media criticism is irrelevant. Petitions are irrelevant. Irish government concerns are noted but do not affect our prosecutorial decisions. Legal commentary from academics who don't practice is dismissed.

Our job is to prosecute cases we believe have merit. The Chief Magistrate disagreed. We are appealing. This is how the system works.

If anyone on this distribution list is unable to support this position, please make that known to HR immediately so we can discuss your continued employment.

All staff should decline media requests and refer queries to Communications.

Meeting adjourned. Get back to work.

Recent anonymous staff feedback regarding Mó Chara appeal:

Staff morale: Catastrophically low

Institutional pride: Non-existent

Recommendation: Urgent senior management intervention required

Appeals Team,

Despite... external noise... we proceed as planned.

Legal arguments to focus on:

• Statutory interpretation of Terrorism Act 2000, s.13
• Context should not override clear statutory language
• Chief Magistrate's discretion was improperly exercised

Prepare for hearing within 8-12 weeks.

Confidence remains high. We are right. They will see that eventually.