Lammy’s cuts to jury trials could have ‘far-reaching’ effect on race relations, say MPs

David Lammy wants to remove some defendants’ right to a jury trial to try to clear the backlog in the criminal courts. Photograph: Ian West/PA

David Lammy’s planned changes to the criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations, a cross-party committee of MPs has concluded.

The deputy prime minister’s plan to remove the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community”, the justice select committee said, because black defendants are more likely to elect for trial.