Fury Over 'Two-Tier' Justice as New Sentencing Guidelines Spark Political Backlash

[Social Media]

 

Labour has come under intense criticism over new sentencing guidelines that some claim will create a "two-tier justice system," offering preferential treatment to ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and other specific groups. The measures, set to take effect in less than four weeks, have triggered a heated debate, with Conservative politicians warning they could lead to a system that is "anti-white and anti-Christian."  

 

Under the new rules, magistrates and judges will be required to consider pre-sentence reports for offenders from "ethnic minority, cultural minority, and/or faith minority communities." These reports, often used to highlight circumstances that could argue against imprisonment, will also apply to all women, transgender individuals, young adults, and those struggling with addiction. The changes follow lobbying efforts by advocacy groups and have reignited concerns about fairness in the criminal justice system.  

 

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the move, stating it would reduce the likelihood of custodial sentences for specific groups. "Sir Keir Starmer sneered at people who said we have a two-tier justice system. But here we have it in black and white," he said. "This is an inversion of the rule of law. We now have two-tier justice under 'Two-Tier Keir.'" He further warned that the guidelines introduced "blatant discrimination against straight white men."  

 

Tory minister Neil O'Brien expressed his outrage on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "What the actual hell – this is just raw two-tier justice."  

 

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who initially appeared to downplay the significance of the guidelines, later distanced herself from the changes, pledging to push for their reversal. "Today's updated guidelines do not represent my views or the views of this government," she said in a statement.

 

"I will be writing to the Sentencing Council to register my displeasure and to recommend reversing this change to guidance. As someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for any differential treatment before the law, for anyone of any kind. There will never be a two-tier sentencing approach under my watch."  

 

The Sentencing Council, an independent body responsible for drafting the rules followed by judges and magistrates, defended the changes, emphasizing the importance of pre-sentence reports in assessing an offender’s background. Chairman Lord Justice William Davis stated, "The guideline emphasizes the crucial role played by pre-sentence reports (PSRs) in this process and identifies particular cohorts for whom evidence suggests PSRs might be of particular value to the court.

 

The reasons for including groups vary but include evidence of disparities in sentencing outcomes, disadvantages faced within the criminal justice system, and complexities in circumstances of individual offenders that can only be understood through an assessment. PSRs provide the court with information about the offender; they are not an indication of sentence."  

 

However, critics argue that the move is part of a broader pattern of unequal treatment within the justice system. The controversy mirrors last summer’s riots following the Southport murders, when accusations surfaced that law enforcement had treated different groups unequally. At the time, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage stated that a "two-tier policing" system had become widely apparent, a claim dismissed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

 

The debate escalated further when Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley grabbed a reporter’s microphone and knocked it to the ground after being questioned about the issue—an incident for which he later apologized.  

 

The latest revelation that the Justice Secretary’s own officials attended meetings where the guidelines were finalized has fueled accusations that she was aware of the changes all along. Minutes from a January 24 meeting show that her personal representative, Claire Fielder, was present when the plan was approved. According to records, "the council approved the final content in full and signed off the guideline for publication in March."  

 

As the April 1 implementation date approaches, pressure is mounting on the government to clarify its stance and respond to the growing concerns over fairness in the justice system.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail  2025-03-07

 

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

These new guidelines were drawn up in part, due to recommendations from David (race card) Lammy; what he, and others of his ilk don’t seem to realise, is that this is exactly the type of nonsense that fuels racism where none existed before. Once again we see minorities prioritised with the inevitable consequence that the majority are marginalised. Most of the British public have had just about enough of this discrimination.

 

 

[JonnyF]

At least it's official now. There in black and white (pardon the pun). 

 

Should stop the gaslighters. 

[James105]

45 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

These new guidelines were drawn up in part, due to recommendations from David (race card) Lammy; what he, and others of his ilk don’t seem to realise, is that this is exactly the type of nonsense that fuels racism where none existed before. Once again we see minorities prioritised with the inevitable consequence that the majority are marginalised. Most of the British public have had just about enough of this discrimination.

 

 

 

This is as unsurprising as it is outrageous.   This is what happens when racists like Lammy get into power, they tend to do racist things.  

 

The UK's well of tolerance, and it was a very big deep well, must be all dried up by now.   

 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

These new guidelines were drawn up in part, due to recommendations from David (race card) Lammy

 

Yes that is no surprise. 

 

As someone who has benefitted from DEI policies his whole life, and starts virtually every sentence with "As a black man...." Lammy was never going to be able to resist recommending that white people should get longer sentences than other groups. 

 

A horrible racist and a stain on the country.  

 

I can see now why Ricky Jones trial was mysteriously delayed until after these guidelines come into force. Much easier to justify the incredibly light sentence he will receive now. 

 

Britain really has descended into a complete farce under Labour. 

[John Drake]

One set of rules for the colonizers and another for the natives. SOP. Next step will be separate judicial panels and judges for the colonizers.

[Dionigi]

80% of all people in jail are male. This figure does not alter because someone thinks they are a female.

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, John Drake said:

One set of rules for the colonizers and another for the natives. SOP. Next step will be separate judicial panels and judges for the colonizers.

 

They'll be setting up their own courts soon.

 

Oh, wait a minute.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3358625/Inside-Britain-s-Sharia-courts-EIGHTY-FIVE-Islamic-courts-dispensing-justice-UK-special-investigation-really-goes-doors-shock-core.html

 

[jippytum]

There has been preferential treatment for ethnic minorities in UK Courts for years. leniency towards  immigrant  offenders and Muslim sex offenders is well documented. Britsh judges are guided by political policy and influenced by the European Courts of civil rights. 

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, jippytum said:

There has been preferential treatment for ethnic minorities in UK Courts for years. leniency towards  immigrant  offenders and Muslim sex offenders is well documented. Britsh judges are guided by political policy and influenced by the European Courts of civil rights. 

 

Yes there have been many many examples that people on here just dismiss as being "grievance stroking" and figments of our imagination.

 

They are conspicuous by their absence on this thread of course. Now it's official. 😄

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the move, stating it would reduce the likelihood of custodial sentences for specific groups.

As has always been the case for ‘white collar crime’.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes there have been many many examples that people on here just dismiss as being "grievance stroking" and figments of our imagination.

 

They are conspicuous by their absence on this thread of course. Now it's official. 😄

Yep, one of those posters just popped up with a deflection.

 

Robert Jenrick says new sentencing guidelines have 'blatant bias against Christians and straight white men'

https://news.sky.com/story/anger-over-two-tier-sentencing-as-justice-secretary-shabana-mahmood-rejects-new-guidelines-13322444

 

[brewsterbudgen]

'Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who initially appeared to downplay the significance of the guidelines, later distanced herself from the changes, pledging to push for their reversal. "Today's updated guidelines do not represent my views or the views of this government," she said in a statement.

 

"I will be writing to the Sentencing Council to register my displeasure and to recommend reversing this change to guidance. As someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for any differential treatment before the law, for anyone of any kind. There will never be a two-tier sentencing approach under my watch."  

 

So, really a non-story assuming she's as good as her word.

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

'Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who initially appeared to downplay the significance of the guidelines, later distanced herself from the changes, pledging to push for their reversal. "Today's updated guidelines do not represent my views or the views of this government," she said in a statement.

 

"I will be writing to the Sentencing Council to register my displeasure and to recommend reversing this change to guidance. As someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for any differential treatment before the law, for anyone of any kind. There will never be a two-tier sentencing approach under my watch."  

 

So, really a non-story assuming she's as good as her word.

So, really a non-story assuming she's as good as her word.

 

How is it a non story?

[dinsdale]

No doubt about it. The woke mind virus in the UK is in full swing. 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

So, really a non-story assuming she's as good as her word.

 

How is it a non story?

 

I guess I meant it's a 'non-story' for the regular Labour bashers to bash the government, as the government have the same view as the opposition.  But don't let that stop you! 🤣

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

I guess I meant it's a 'non-story' for the regular Labour bashers to bash the government, as the government have the same view as the opposition.  But don't let that stop you! 🤣

Don't let that stop me what?

[Bkk Brian]

Back to the topic, this was previously officially stamped. Now since Robert Jenrick and others complained about it being clear two tier justice it seems she's backtracking. 

 

Badenoch said: “If the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, doesn’t want a two-tier criminal justice system she should change the law and the Conservatives will back her. Ministers should decide, not quangos. Labour need to grip this.”

Mahmood was unaware of the guidance before it was published on Wednesday, despite a senior Ministry of Justice official having attended the Sentencing Council meeting in January that rubber-stamped the guidance.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/softer-sentencing-minority-uk-prisoners-david-lammy-6h2s6djgn

https://archive.ph/uGBCi

[brewsterbudgen]

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Don't let that stop me what?

 ...bashing the government.  Carry on.

[JonnyF]

13 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

So, really a non-story assuming she's as good as her word.

 

Well at least she's fooled one person 😄

 

13 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who initially appeared to downplay the significance of the guidelines

 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

 ...bashing the government.  Carry on.

There you go again with your off topic nonsense, if you have nothing to contribute because you claim its a non story why are you doing here deflecting with lame cancel culture?

[JonnyF]

3 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Badenoch said: “If the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, doesn’t want a two-tier criminal justice system she should change the law and the Conservatives will back her. Ministers should decide, not quangos. Labour need to grip this.”

 

Mahmood is pretending to oppose it while doing nothing to stop it.

 

Typical mealy mouthed response from the racists in the Labour party. 

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

...bashing the government.  Carry on.

 

Do you really thing the government is unable to prevent this?

 

Given that Lammy recommended it, do you really think they want to? 

[JonnyF]

36 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

As has always been the case for ‘white collar crime’.

 

 

 

Well now it can continue in an official capacity (as long as the person committing the crime is from a specific religious/racial/cross dressing group).

 

Presumably you support these new guidelines?

 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I guess I meant it's a 'non-story' for the regular Labour bashers to bash the government

 

It's literally a racist sentencing guideline that has already been approved and is going into force in about 3 weeks time.

 

How exactly is that a "non story"?

 

 

[RuamRudy]

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

It's literally a racist sentencing guideline that has already been approved and is going into force in about 3 weeks time.

 

How exactly is that a "non story"?

 

 

 

No - an attempt to remove racism from sentencing. 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

No - an attempt to remove racism from sentencing. 

 

Absolute nonsense. 😄

 

If they wanted the same rule for everyone they would not have mentioned specific groups. 

 

Your attempts to defend these racist guidelines is deplorable. It's so bad that even Labour are pretending to oppose it. 

[RuamRudy]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Absolute nonsense. 😄

 

If they wanted the same rule for everyone they would not have mentioned specific groups. 

 

Your attempts to defend these racist guidelines is deplorable. It's so bad that even Labour are pretending to oppose it. 

 

Which specific groups are mentioned? Can you identify the section of the guidance that says ethnicity should be considered? 

[James105]

1 minute ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Which specific groups are mentioned? Can you identify the section of the guidance that says ethnicity should be considered? 

 

Lines 5 and 6 in the OP.

 

Under the new rules, magistrates and judges will be required to consider pre-sentence reports for offenders from "ethnic minority, cultural minority, and/or faith minority communities." 

[JonnyF]

14 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Which specific groups are mentioned? Can you identify the section of the guidance that says ethnicity should be considered? 

 

Do you not have google?

 

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/overarching-guides/magistrates-court/item/imposition-of-community-and-custodial-sentences-overarching-guideline/