Sentencing guidelines for ethnic minority suspects delayed after backlash
- Plans for new sentencing guidelines for minority offenders have been delayed due to government backlash over claims of a 'two-tier' justice system.
- Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced legislation to block the guidelines, which were set to take effect on Tuesday.
- The Sentencing Council defended the new guidelines as necessary and appropriate, but their implementation will be delayed pending new laws.
- Critics warn that the guidelines could lead to unequal sentencing based on ethnicity, raising further concerns about equality in the justice system.
31 Articles
31 Articles

UK govt moves to block sentencing guidelines for minority defendants
Britain's government on Tuesday introduced legislation to block new sentencing guidelines taking into account a defendant's ethnic or cultural background, on the grounds it would give the impression of preferential treatment for minority defendants.
English Criminal Law Council wanted to introduce a special rule for minorities appearing before a judge. There was great anger about it
A demand that defendants from ethnic or religious minorities be treated differently from others by the courts has drawn criticism in England.
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