Former Brighton and Hove lawyer to be next Director of Public Prosecutions

The former head of the Crown Prosecution Service in Sussex, Alison Saunders, is to be the next Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mrs Saunders, 51, a barrister, was the chief crown prosecutor for Sussex, from 2001 to 2003. The Sussex CPS offices are in Hove.

During her time in Sussex, she oversaw the prosecution of Roy Whiting for the kidnap and murder of Sarah Payne.

She is now the chief crown prosecutor for London.

She was involved in the retrial and subsequent conviction of the killers of Stephen Lawrence in 2011 and 2012.

Mrs Saunders will take over from the current DPP Keir Starmer on Friday 1 November.

Alison Saunders