I am a firm believer in open justice, and an opponent of closed justice in any normal circumstances. But I am also an opponent of legal purism, and have no time for institutionalised mythmaking - whether from the authoritarian right or the liberal left.

In this quote, Kenneth Clarke expresses his belief in open justice, which refers to the principle that legal proceedings should be transparent and accessible to the public. He stresses that, in normal circumstances, justice should not be secretive or hidden, as transparency is vital for accountability and trust in the legal system. However, Clarke also makes it clear that he is not a rigid legal purist, meaning he does not adhere strictly to legal formalism without considering the practical realities and complexities of each situation.

Clarke’s mention of closed justice refers to legal processes that are hidden or not open to public scrutiny, often used in exceptional or sensitive cases. He opposes such practices, but at the same time, he is wary of institutionalised mythmaking. This phrase criticizes the tendency to create false narratives or idealized versions of justice, whether from the authoritarian right or the liberal left. Clarke is cautioning against political or ideological agendas that distort or simplify complex legal matters for the sake of creating a convenient story.

His reference to both the authoritarian right and the liberal left suggests that he believes political ideologies from both sides of the spectrum can contribute to mythmaking in the legal system. Whether through exaggerating the reach of government control or overstating ideals of justice, Clarke warns against the dangers of ideological purity that ignores the messiness of reality. He advocates for a more pragmatic, balanced approach to law and justice.

Ultimately, Clarke’s statement advocates for practical justice that remains open and fair, while rejecting extremes in political or legal thinking. His opposition to both closed justice and legal purism reflects a desire for a legal system that is transparent, flexible, and grounded in real-world complexities, rather than idealized or overly politicized narratives.