John Wadham, director of Liberty:
"It's essential that defendants should have a choice as to whether they go to court for their preliminary hearings or use a video-link.

"Many may well be quite happy to use a video-link instead. But some people may have concerns about their conditions of detention, about their mental state, or other things that can't be explored over a video link.

"In addition, while solicitors' access to clients on remand remains difficult, magistrates' court cells actually provide one of the best opportunities for contact between defendant and solicitor - which is clearly an essential part of a fair trial process.

"Any move to make the video link alternative mandatory could thus increase both delays in the criminal justice system and the risk of of people getting unfair trials".