Tories demand humiliated quango boss who tried to impose two-tier sentencing must be axed
THE humiliated quango boss who tried to impose two-tier sentencing must be dismissed, the Tories have demanded.
Lord Justice William Davis was accused of politicising the judiciary and putting the safety of the public at risk.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told the Commons he had to go, saying he had brought the Sentencing Council into total disrepute.
He added: “Not only did he oversee two-tier sentencing guidelines.
He’s freewheeling and boasting about giving non-custodial sentences to hyper-prolific offenders.”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood refused to say whether she had confidence in the Sentencing Council boss, saying she would not make a personal attack.
But she vowed the quango’s role must be considered further after it had twice refused ministers’ demands to abandon controversial edicts to judges.
Guidelines could have seen ethnic minority, religious and transgender criminals potentially handed softer punishments by prioritising them for pre-sentence reports.
The Sentencing Council leadership backed down at the eleventh hour.
Shadow Justice Secretary Mr Jenrick claimed victory after threatening legal action against the Sentencing Council.
He said: “The sentencing council had until 5pm to respond to my legal challenge or face an injunction. I was advised we had a strong chance of winning.
“They have folded under the pressure. Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign to save equality before the law.”