The Latest Breaking News from Sentencing Council

The Justice Secretary said ‘all must be equal before the law’ as the Government introduced a Bill following a row over guidelines.

The Sentencing Council said the changes were ‘necessary and appropriate’ but that it would not implement them while a Bill was imminent.

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

Exclusive: Leading charities call on Labour to change the law

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.

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

The guidelines say courts should always order a pre-sentence report when considering a prison term ‘unless it considers that it is unnecessary’.

Prime minister says countries will have to defend a peace deal, if one happens, as he takes questions at a defence factory