'Two-tier' sentencing guide delayed after political row

The Sentencing Council has agreed at the last minute to suspend plans to introduce guidelines for offenders from minorities which critics claimed would create a “two-tier” legal system.

- DAVID MADDOX

The move followed immense political pressure on the body with Sir Keir Starmer and his justice secretary Shabana Mahmood planning through emergency legislation in parliament this week to overturn the plans.

Ministers have also not ruled out scrapping the council after it initially ignored requests from Ms Mahmood to change course.

The new guidance for judges would have meant a pre-sentence report would have been needed before handing out punishment for someone of an ethnic, cultural or faith minority, alongside other groups such as young adults aged 18 to 25, women and pregnant women.

The issue was first raised by Tory shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who had been planning to go to court today to force a pause in the implementation of the guidelines.

Ms Mahmood also announced she would introduce a draft law to the Commons aimed at blocking the guidelines on the same date.

Last night, the Sentencing Council, which is independent of politics, insisted the new instructions were "necessary and appropriate" but would not be implemented while the introduction of a bill was imminent.