Crime victims need bill of rights, says senior MP

Crime victims' rights should be enshrined in law, a senior Plaid Cymru MP has said.

Leading a Commons debate, Elfyn Llwyd said victims did not get the "support they deserved" due to a "culture of neglect" in the justice system.

Mr Llwyd, who has long campaigned for victims' rights, previously chaired an inquiry that led to stalking being made a specific criminal offence.

He called for UK ministers to publish a "victims' bill of rights".

"The bill would ensure that victims have the right to, for example, accurate and timely information from all relevant agencies, notice of all court and legal proceedings relating to the victim's perpetrator and direct contact details of all criminal justice agencies and individuals involved in the proceedings," he said.

Mr Llwyd is standing down as MP for Dwyfor Meirionydd and Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader at May's general election.