A week ago a the wife of a terrorist bomber was jailed for 15 years for not disclosing her husband's intent to commit the crime. She denied knowledge but, as she was aware of her husband's extreme views the jury was persuaded of her guilt.

On Friday Michael Ross was found guilty of a racist murder committed 14 years ago. He was a suspect at the time, but his father, a police officer, lied to the investigating officers to clear him of suspicion. A witness who feared to come forward at the time because of the father's police connection, did so at last.

Asked about his father lying to protect his son while a serving officer, Mr Smith said: "It is a decision he has made as a father protecting his son. Given his position as a police officer, that was an extremely frustrating scenario."

Quite so, Mr. Smith, we can't expect a police officer to measure up to the same rigorous standards as a Muslim woman.