The Latest Breaking News from the Sentencing Council

Concerns are growing over new draft sentencing guidelines that critics say could make it easier for foreign offenders to avoid deportation.

Shabana Mahmood threatened to change the law if necessary after the ‘disappointing’ response.

Esther McVey drew comparisons to the Government’s recent decision to abolish NHS England.

Arm’s-length bodies went ‘rogue’, Sir Christopher Chope told MPs on Friday.

Robert Jenrick’s Bill proposed that the Sentencing Council be prevented from issuing guidelines without the consent of the Secretary of State.

In echoes of last summer’s riots, the government is again being accused of enabling a “two-tier” justice system in the UK. The current row is over new guidance published by the Sentencing Council, the independent public body that advises judges and magistrates on sentencing.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to set out plans to overhaul the British state later in the week.

The Sentencing Council told Shabana Mahmood that if ministers ‘dictated’ guidance to courts it would undermine judicial independence.

Comes as Sentencing Council write a letter angrily rejecting minister’s claim that they have created a ‘two tier’ justice system

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has written to the independent body to make clear her ‘displeasure’ and call for changes to be reconsidered.

Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox said there should be ‘a range of discounts available’, as opposed to an automatic one-third reduction for guilty pleas.