Tatton MP Esther McVey has accused government of giving criminals the green light to commit crimes – knowing that under new sentencing reforms they will not be sent to prison.
As part of the government’s Sentencing Bill there would be a move away from short sentences of 12 months or less and instead people would be given a suspended sentence.
She said: “To call the Bill a “sentencing” Bill makes a mockery of us all. It should be called the “avoid a sentence” Bill, because it is a slap in the face to victims and will embolden offenders, who will quite literally be laughing all the way to their next crime.
“This bill takes a sledgehammer to our justice system and will dismantle law and order in this country.”
Ms McVey tabled a series of amendments to the Bill, including excluding knife crime and assaulting emergency workers from the automatic sentencing. She said under government plans thousands of criminals would escape prison, free to commit further crimes.
She added: “I cannot believe that I have to table an amendment to prevent a whole load of criminals who carry knives from being kept out of prison—yet without my amendment, which is what this Bill will do. Does no one anywhere think through what is being proposed and how it will affect public safety? It would be completely disgraceful for the Government ever to claim to be serious about tackling knife crime when, under the Bill, the presumption will be that many people carrying a knife will no longer be sent to prison. How will that help to prevent the loss of life on our streets?”
Ms McVey also said people found guilty of a repeat offence should not be eligible.
She added: “We all believe in second chances, and that is where rehabilitation comes into play. We are possibly dealing with continual offending here. People have come before the courts, been given some kind of community sentence or been subject to tagging and still repeat their crimes. We do not want them to think that there is absolutely no deterrent, and that they can commit crimes as often as they want because they will get only a tiny slap on the wrist.
“People need to understand that their actions are unacceptable. There is a victim, and a price to pay. Some people will understand, go on the straight and narrow, and go on to have a good life, but not as a result of what is being delivered today. The Bill says, “Commit a crime and you will not do any time.” That is wrong, wrong, wrong. It is the wrong message to send out.”
Ms McVey said the Bill was “disastrous” and said she vehemently opposed forcing courts to hand out suspended sentences.
