Outrage as ‘Two-Tier’ Justice System Sparks Fury—Labour Demands Immediate Action

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has called for controversial new sentencing guidelines to be scrapped “as soon as possible” amid growing backlash over claims they could create a “two-tier justice system.”

The row erupted after the Sentencing Council issued new guidance instructing judges to consider an offender’s ethnicity when deciding punishments. The move has sparked outrage, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick vowing legal action, accusing the council of embedding “anti-white and anti-Christian bias” into the system.

Jenrick didn’t hold back, saying, “I will be challenging this sentencing guidance in the courts on the grounds it enshrines anti-white and anti-Christian bias into our criminal justice system. And if Labour won’t amend the law to prevent this, the Conservatives will. There are few more important principles than equality under the law – we will fight tooth and nail to defend it”, reported the Express.

He also criticised Mahmood, suggesting she was either unaware of the meeting where the guidance was approved or fully supported the changes. “The Justice Secretary had a senior representative at the meeting this two-tier guidance was approved. She’s either completely clueless or she and two-tier Keir support the changes and are desperately trying to save face in response to public outrage.”

The new rules direct judges to consider pre-sentence reports, which help tailor sentences to an offender’s background, in cases where a criminal identifies as transgender or comes from an ethnic or faith minority. Critics argue this could lead to minority offenders receiving more lenient treatment compared to white criminals.

In response, Mahmood made it clear she does not support any form of preferential treatment in sentencing. “A pre-sentence report can be instrumental in assisting courts in determining their sentence. But the access to one should not be determined by an offender’s ethnicity, culture or religion. As someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for differential treatment before the law like this.”

She has demanded the Sentencing Council reconsider the guideline and has hinted at bringing in new laws to prevent similar policies in the future. “For that reason, I am requesting that you reconsider the imposition of this guideline as soon as possible. I will also be considering whether policy decisions of such import should be made by the Sentencing Council and what role Ministers and Parliament should play. If necessary, I will legislate in the Sentencing Bill that will follow that review.”

Lord Justice William Davis, Chairman of the Sentencing Council, defended the guidance, insisting it was about ensuring judges have as much information as possible to issue appropriate sentences. “The guideline emphasises the crucial role played by pre-sentence reports (PSRs) in this process and identifies particular cohorts for whom evidence suggests PSRs might be of particular value to the court.”

“The reasons for including groups vary but include evidence of disparities in sentencing outcomes, disadvantages faced within the criminal justice system and complexities in circumstances of individual offenders that can only be understood through an assessment.”

Despite his reassurances, the controversy continues to rage, with calls for the guidelines to be scrapped entirely. With both political parties weighing in, the debate over whether the justice system is being compromised is unlikely to die down any time soon.