Latest news with #BrianLeveson
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour says Reform UK ‘trying to divide communities' ahead of Farage speech on crime
Update: Date: 2025-07-21T08:19:51.000Z Title: Farage's plans to reform criminal justice system criticised ahead of speech Content: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. Nigel Farage is to lay out plans that he claims would end all early release schemes for sex offenders and serious violent offenders if he were to become prime minister. In a speech in London later today, the Reform UK leader will also reportedly promise to build 30,000 new prison places to tackle the overcrowding crisis, appoint 30,000 more police officers within five years and deport 10,400 foreign offenders currently in British jails. He has not said how these policies will be funded and will likely face questions on how he would negotiate return agreements for foreign offenders. Some of his promises – like sending some of the most serious criminals to overseas jails, including in El Salavdor – will also likely face serious legal obstacles if they were ever realised. Farage, whose Reform party is leading many polls, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as having said: Reform UK will be the toughest party on law and order this country has ever seen. We will cut crime in half. We will take back control of our streets, we will take back control of our courts and prisons. We are expecting more details on Reform's plans at around 11am. Reform's attempt to woo voters with a tough on crime message stands in contrast to the proposals recently suggested by Sir Brian Leveson, a former senior judge who was asked by the Lord Chancellor to come up with ways to reduce the backlog of cases in the criminal courts. Recommendations in the report included increased use of out-of-court resolutions, greater use of rehabilitation programmes and health intervention programmes and increasing the maximum reduction for entering a guilty plea at the first opportunity from 33% to 40%. Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said that Reform is not serious about implementing real changes to the criminal justice system as the party 'voted to try to block measures to crack down on knife crime, antisocial behaviour, shop theft and child sexual abuse'. 'They should focus more on practical solutions to support our police, combat crime, deliver justice for victims of crime, rather than chasing headlines, spouting slogans and trying to divide communities,' she added. Here is the agenda for the day. 09.45am: Sir Jon Cunliffe, Independent Water Commission chair, to give speech. 11am: Nigel Farage to make a speech in London on the criminal justice system. 13:00pm: Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign press conference in Sheffield. 14.30pm: Keir Starmer to appear at the Liaison Committee.
Leader Live
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Lord Clarke said there is 'no choice' but to implement Sir Brian Leveson's recommendations (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
Rhyl Journal
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
Western Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Court reforms vital to tackle ‘scandalous disgrace' of backlog, says Ken Clarke
Given the mounting trial logjam, the Government has 'no choice' but to swiftly accept proposed reforms, which would see less cases heard by juries, according to the Conservative peer. Last week, plans to reduce the number of jury trials and create a new type of crown court where cases are heard by judges were unveiled by Sir Brian Leveson. The review commissioned by the Government seeks to 'reduce the risk of total system collapse' amid a record-high backlog where some cases are listed for 2029. It comes after the crown court backlog in England and Wales passed 75,000 cases for the first time, rising to 76,957 at the end of March. Lord Clarke said there is 'no choice' but to implement Sir Brian Leveson's recommendations (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Brian's recommendations are expected to save approximately 9,000 sitting days in the crown court each year from some of the main changes, such as by diverting cases to magistrates' courts or to the proposed Crown Court Bench Division for trials to be heard by judges. Juries would be reserved to hear the most serious cases. Ministers are now considering the recommendations and will respond in the early autumn with a view to legislation. The Government has already accepted a raft of reforms proposed in a separate independent sentencing review by former justice secretary David Gauke to tackle jail overcrowding. Speaking in Parliament, Lord Clarke of Nottingham, who also previously served as justice secretary, said: 'Does the minister accept that it is a scandalous disgrace that in this country some victims and people charged with offences have to wait months and sometimes years before a trial can take place? 'Does he therefore agree that, in those circumstances, the Government have no choice but to accept as quickly as possible the excellent recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson, because I hear of no alternatives? 'Will he undertake that they will not take too long reviewing and considering these matters? 'This should proceed as rapidly as possible with the full support of everybody who has the interests of the rule of law and justice in this country at heart.' Welcoming his support, justice minister Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who is also a sitting magistrate, said: 'Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300 cases over the previous quarter. 'If we were not to take any action, it is projected that the outstanding caseload would be 100,000 in 2028. Clearly, that is unacceptable, and I absolutely take the point he made.' Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Pannick said: 'Does the minister agree that, in addressing the very serious problems faced by the criminal justice system, it is important not to romanticise the jury, given that 90% of all criminal trials in this country are heard without a jury and relatively speedily – not as speedily as perhaps they could be, but relatively so – and they are heard effectively and with justice.' Lord Ponsonby said: 'Of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. 'There is no right to a jury trial. However, there is a right to a fair trial. 'For a fair trial, it must be heard in a timely manner. That is where we are failing. 'We need these systemic changes to address that fundamental problem, so that people – both victims and defendants – can get a fair trial in a timely way.'
