The man cleared of the murder of Rachel Nickell, Colin Stagg, is to join a discussion panel on crime on TV.

Mr Stagg will debate the effects on society of crime shows with TV industry bosses at the Guardian Edinburgh International Festival in August.

Mr Stagg was charged with the murder but cleared in 1994 when the evidence against him was ruled inadmissible.

He will take part in the debate, titled TV in the Dock, with film director Michael Winner and Bad Girls producer Brian Park.

The panel will discuss whether factual and drama programmes glamorise violence.

Jeremy Gibson, advisory chair of the festival, and BBC controller of documentaries, said: "The decision to include Colin Stagg in the TV In The Dock session will certainly raise some interesting issues.

"It will encourage an exchange of opinions and ideas surrounding a subject which has become increasingly important to the industry and the public in recent years - as the number of hours devoted to crime programmes grows exponentially."