INTRO: The British Queen has joined Prime Minister David Cameron at an event marking the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta...
The charter was the first to protect the rights of the public and established that those in power were not above the law.
Many of today's democracies and laws are based on the charter written in 1215.
Our UK correspondent Dan Whitehead reports...
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The charter was the first to protect the rights of the public and established that those in power were not above the law.
Many of today's democracies and laws are based on the charter written in 1215.
Our UK correspondent Dan Whitehead reports...
IN: The British Queen...
OUT: ...SOC, London.
DUR: 2'23"
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CUT1: David Cameron, UK Prime Minister: "Magna Carta is something every person in Britain should be proud of, its remaining copies may be faded but its principles shine as brightly as ever. In every courtroom, in every classroom, from palace to parliament to parish church, liberty, justice, democracy, the rule of law, we hold these things dear and we should them even dearer for the fact that they took shape, right here on the banks of the Thames."
VO2: Celebrations have taken place over the last few days, and Prince William was shown a new art installation called "The Jurors"...
CUT2: John Redwood, Conservative MP: "Fundamental freedom and equality under the law became a crucial part of British democracy, which in turn was taken up by the American settlers when they broke from the United Kingdom and established their great democracy. So Magna Carta is one of the founding documents of world democracy through the English speaking world's long democratic tradition."
VO3: The events come amid government plans to scrap the Human Rights Act - a move which David Cameron believes will actually uphold the rights founded in Magna Carta...
The commemorations here mark the significance of the Magna Carta on today's politics....
And with controversial reforms to human rights laws being discussed, the document remains just as relevant 800 years on.
Dan Whitehead, SOC, London"
VO1: The British Queen and Prince William among the dignitaries joining hundreds in a field just outside London - dubbed the birthplace of democracy.
The Magna Carta, signed and sealed here, originated as a peace treaty between King John and rebellious barons.
It was the basis for many liberties still enjoyed today - including a parliamentary democracy and a fair trial.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the Magna Carta changed the world...
CUT1: David Cameron, UK Prime Minister: "Magna Carta is something every person in Britain should be proud of, its remaining copies may be faded but its principles shine as brightly as ever. In every courtroom, in every classroom, from palace to parliament to parish church, liberty, justice, democracy, the rule of law, we hold these things dear and we should them even dearer for the fact that they took shape, right here on the banks of the Thames."
VO2: Celebrations have taken place over the last few days, and Prince William was shown a new art installation called "The Jurors"...
Twelve bronze chairs, representing the 39th clause of Magna Carta, which gives someone the right to a fair trial by jury.
There are now just four known original copies of the Magna Carta remaining, all kept in the United Kingdom.
But politicians, including Conservative MP John Redwood, say Magna Carta's influence stretches far and wide...
VO3: The events come amid government plans to scrap the Human Rights Act - a move which David Cameron believes will actually uphold the rights founded in Magna Carta...
The commemorations here mark the significance of the Magna Carta on today's politics....
And with controversial reforms to human rights laws being discussed, the document remains just as relevant 800 years on.
Dan Whitehead, SOC, London"
ENDS