Call for ministers to overrule 'two-tier' sentencing changes

The Conservatives are urging the government to overrule proposed changes by the Sentencing Council that would prioritize the ethnicity or faith of offenders when determining sentencing in England and Wales. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to challenge the guidance, which is set to take effect in April, emphasizing the importance of pre-sentence reports for judges to consider individual circumstances. Critics, including shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, argue that the new guidelines could lead to unequal treatment under the law, with concerns raised about potential bias against certain groups.

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