Treason - does it still exist??

[Meg888]

Following on from "The Queen" post; does treason still actually exist and if so (as somebody posted) does it only count against the government or the Queen - or both? Also we have loads of different terms for crimes ie murder/murder with intent etc. at what point would it become treason, if the queen was assinated would it not just be murder with intent/premediated? I honestly thought treason was an old fashioned term and no longer existed

yours,

puzzled!

[jno]

apparently it is still in force though not actually in use

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_treason_in_t he_United_Kingdom

I thhink its more to do with betraying the country rather than the queen these days, but it looks like conspiracy, murder etc are more common charges now. They could use it if they wanted to, though.

[saxy_jag]

It is still an offence and, as far as I know, they can punish traitors by execution, although I doubt they would do that these days.

My understanding of the technical meaning of treason is that of taking, threatening to take, or aiding others to take the life of the Monarch and/or the heir to the throne.

However, I'm willing to be corrected.

[jake-the-peg]

Yes it does exist although the death penalty was abolished for that years ago.

Discussed here

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Question427 540.html

Really it needs to be repealed because any treasonous act ought to be prosecuted under other laws such as murder or terrorism laws and under the Treason legislation James Hewitt could have been prosecuted for sleeping with the wife of the heir to the Throne.

It's time has long passed

[Zen]

Treason still exists............

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/04/21/nlabour21.xml

[PortlandBill]

dont forget asson in her majestys dockyard. still stood with treason as one of the last things you could get a one way ticket for. A proper historical throw back like the last few gallows....