I will take on ‘two-tier’ judges to stop discrimination against white men, Keir vows as new sentencing rules slammed
SIR Keir Starmer has vowed to take on top judges who refused to back down over “two-tier” sentencing rules.
The Prime Minister insisted “all options are on the table” including emergency legislation to stop discrimination against white males.
His warning shot came as the Sentencing Council faced accusations that new guidelines would give more lenient treatment to ethnic minority offenders.
Sir Keir said the government was considering its response.
He added: “All options are on the table, but I’m disappointed at this outcome, and now we will have to consider what we do as a result.”
Downing Street is looking to fix the issue with possibilities including changing the law and reviewing the “role and responsibility” of the body.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Shabana Mahmood has been humiliated by the Sentencing Council. In three days time we will have two-tier sentencing because of her and Two-Tier Keir.
“It is shameful they sat on their hands and chose not to legislate to prevent two-tier justice.
“The promise to legislate down the line is too little too late. From Tuesday the Justice Secretary will preside over a sentencing system she conceded is two-tier because of her sheer incompetence.”
However, Lord Justice Davis said the policy “did not require revision” and there had been “widespread misunderstanding”.
Mahmood faced calls last night of being “humiliated” after saying a differential approach to sentencing wouldn’t happen under her watch.
But she said: “I have been clear in my view that these guidelines represent differential treatment, under which someone’s outcomes may be influenced by their race, culture or religion.
“This is unacceptable, and I formally set out my objections to this in a letter to the Sentencing Council last week.
“I am extremely disappointed by the Council’s response. All options are on the table and I will legislate if necessary.”
The controversy surrounds new guidelines for judges relating to pre-sentence reports when imposing community and custodial sentences, and whether to suspend prison time.
Such reports will usually be necessary when punishments are handed down for someone of an ethnic, cultural or faith minority, along with abuse survivors and pregnant women.
Senior Tories said the government could have acted weeks ago with legislation to stop changes from coming in from Tuesday.
David Spencer, head of crime and justice at Policy Exchange, also said Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood must act “without delay”.
Downing Street denied that Ms Mahmood had been humiliated.