15/06/2006
Legal system under fire in sentencing furore
The Lord Chancellor has said that MPs should not criticise judges and that it is the legal system and not the judiciary that is at fault for "lenient" sentences.
Lord Falconer said that the judiciary, and individual judges should not be "whipping boys" for a legal system that needed to be reformed.
The comments from the Lord Chancellor followed the Home Secretary John Reid's description of the sentencing of child abductor Craig Sweeney as "too lenient."
Although jailed for life, Sweeney, who pleaded guilty to snatching and sexually abusing a three-year-old girl, could be eligible for parole in under six years.
Lord Falconer, appearing on BBC Question Time, said: "Everybody agrees that the sentence wasn't what we would have wanted. It wasn't the judge's fault."
He also said that the judges had become "the whipping boys for this" and that this was "completely wrong."
Appealing for politicians and the judiciary to work together to reach a solution, Lord Falconer said it was not one political party or the other that had led to the situation, but 30 years of statutes.
While politicians have backed Mr Reid's comments, the Attorney General is understood to be concerned that the comments surrounding the trial may make imposing a tougher sentence in the Sweeney case more difficult.
The Home Office is under increasing pressure to strengthen laws relating to the release of prisoners.
Yesterday, it was disclosed that 53 "lifers" had been freed after serving less than six years in jail.
(SP/GB)
Lord Falconer said that the judiciary, and individual judges should not be "whipping boys" for a legal system that needed to be reformed.
The comments from the Lord Chancellor followed the Home Secretary John Reid's description of the sentencing of child abductor Craig Sweeney as "too lenient."
Although jailed for life, Sweeney, who pleaded guilty to snatching and sexually abusing a three-year-old girl, could be eligible for parole in under six years.
Lord Falconer, appearing on BBC Question Time, said: "Everybody agrees that the sentence wasn't what we would have wanted. It wasn't the judge's fault."
He also said that the judges had become "the whipping boys for this" and that this was "completely wrong."
Appealing for politicians and the judiciary to work together to reach a solution, Lord Falconer said it was not one political party or the other that had led to the situation, but 30 years of statutes.
While politicians have backed Mr Reid's comments, the Attorney General is understood to be concerned that the comments surrounding the trial may make imposing a tougher sentence in the Sweeney case more difficult.
The Home Office is under increasing pressure to strengthen laws relating to the release of prisoners.
Yesterday, it was disclosed that 53 "lifers" had been freed after serving less than six years in jail.
(SP/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 September 2003
Hereditary peers to go in Lords reform package
Under proposals for Lords reform, the government will remove the remaining 92 hereditary peers sitting in the second chamber and set up a statutory Appointments Commission to select and oversee appointments to the House of Lords.
Hereditary peers to go in Lords reform package
Under proposals for Lords reform, the government will remove the remaining 92 hereditary peers sitting in the second chamber and set up a statutory Appointments Commission to select and oversee appointments to the House of Lords.
19 June 2007
Prisoners to be released early
Some prisoners will be allowed to be released early in order to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales, the government has announced.
Prisoners to be released early
Some prisoners will be allowed to be released early in order to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales, the government has announced.
16 January 2009
Tough Stance On Burglaries By Top Judge
The head of the judiciary in England and Wales has urged courts to hand down stiffer sentences to domestic burglars. The Lord Chief Justice, Igor Judge, sent out a firm message to criminals today, in a strongly-worded judgment. Lord Judge rejected calls from six convicted burglars to have their jail terms reduced.
Tough Stance On Burglaries By Top Judge
The head of the judiciary in England and Wales has urged courts to hand down stiffer sentences to domestic burglars. The Lord Chief Justice, Igor Judge, sent out a firm message to criminals today, in a strongly-worded judgment. Lord Judge rejected calls from six convicted burglars to have their jail terms reduced.
26 May 2004
Appointment of QCs set to be reformed
A new way of appointing senior lawyers will help to put the interests of consumers first, the government has said today. Setting out changes to the way lawyers become Queen's Counsel, or QCs, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said the new scheme would be "fairer and more open".
Appointment of QCs set to be reformed
A new way of appointing senior lawyers will help to put the interests of consumers first, the government has said today. Setting out changes to the way lawyers become Queen's Counsel, or QCs, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said the new scheme would be "fairer and more open".
13 July 2006
Radical reform planned for legal aid system
Radical reform of the legal aid system has today been set in motion as the Lord Chancellor opened consultations on implementing substantial changes to the way Government buys legal advice on behalf of the public.
Radical reform planned for legal aid system
Radical reform of the legal aid system has today been set in motion as the Lord Chancellor opened consultations on implementing substantial changes to the way Government buys legal advice on behalf of the public.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.