New deputy Conservative Party chairman Lee Anderson
(Picture: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor / PA)It has been more than 58 years since the last executions took place in the UK – albeit the practice was only officially made illegal in 1998.
However, the new Tory Party deputy chairman for one still believes in its use.
Lee Anderson told TalkTv on Thursday morning (February 9): “I always think that, in certain circumstances, it is difficult to argue against and the case I always go back to is the murder of Lee Rigby.
“Murders like that, where the proof is there. There are hundreds of witnesses. It’s very, very difficult to argue against the death penalty in cases like that and I pretty much stick to that sort of view.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant is among those to have argued against its return in the wake of Anderson’s comments.
The death penalty doesn’t work. It makes juries reluctant to convict so guilty parties get off. DNA and CCTV may establish someone’s presence at the scene but not their intent or the full picture. We now know conclusively of cases of false convictions and executions.
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) February 9, 2023
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who appointed Mr Anderson as his party’s deputy chair on Tuesday, distanced himself from the idea, saying: “That’s not my view, that’s not the Government’s view.”
What do you think of Lee Anderson backing the return of the death penalty? Let us know in the comments for your chance to be featured on the Evening Standard website.
On Tuesday, we asked if you would use the Bank of England’s proposed digital pound.
Facebook user Martin Junior is dead against it, saying: “There’s literally no positive to this.”
Nope! Cash is King! 💵
— Lorenzo (🇲🇹🇬🇧🇮🇪) (@MancLorenzo) February 7, 2023
Alec Baxter Brown cautioned against the idea: “No way, it’s a con. Lose cash and you lose a key component of democracy.”
Do we have choice?
— Zarra Okumephuna (@okumephuna) February 7, 2023
Hung Lee suggests the best marketing method: “Call it ‘Britcoin’ and we will onboard for sure.”
Guess we are already, touch n go
— John W Townsend (@Townsend1John) February 8, 2023
