Commentary on Sections Schedule 27 - Minor and consequential amendments Paragraphs 97 and 98 - Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
996.Section 80 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 sets out the circumstances in which the spouse of a person who is charged in proceedings, shall be compellable to give evidence. Paragraph 97 amends section 80 to ensure that a civil partner of a person who is charged in proceedings will be compellable in the same circumstances.
997.Section 80A of the 1984 Act provides that the failure of the spouse of a person charged in any proceedings to give evidence shall not be made the subject of any comment by the prosecution. Paragraph 98 amends section 80A so that it applies equally where a civil partner fails to give evidence in the same circumstances.