Minister threatens to override new sentencing rules in ‘two-tier’ justice row

The government has threatened to override the body advising judges in England and Wales in a row over how ethnic minority offenders should be sentenced, days before new rules are set to take effect.
It comes after the Sentencing Council refused a request from the justice secretary for it to rethink new instructions for judges due to begin on Tuesday.
Under the rules, judges will be expected to consider the lives of offenders from ethnic minority and other backgrounds before deciding on punishment.
The guidelines have prompted a “two-tier” justice row, with critics arguing certain groups of people will be less likely to go to prison for a crime.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the guidelines would lead to “differential treatment” of offenders by courts.

Courtesy: BBC