Starmer 'disappointed' by sentence guidance refusal

THE Sentencing Council has refused a request from the Lord Chancellor to change guidance that prompted a row over "two-tier justice".

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Sir Keir Starmer said he was "disappointed" with the decision while Shabana Mahmood said "all options are on the table" and threatened to change the law if necessary.

The Sentencing Council said it will instead clarify language around new guidelines to judges relating to pre-sentence reports for ethnic minorities "in the hope that this would correct the widespread misunderstanding".

Earlier this month the council published new principles for courts to follow when imposing community and custodial sentences, including whether to suspend jail time.