The Sentencing Council will look again at arguments against its new guidelines after critics said they would create a “two-tier” justice system. The council was criticised by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood after saying it would advise judges in England and Wales to increase their focus on the lives of offenders from ethnic minority and other backgrounds before deciding on a punishment. On Thursday, the Sentencing Council said it would look at her objections in detail, but did not commit to reversing course immediately. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood had criticised the guidelines and said she would not tolerate “differential treatment before the law”. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the justice secretary held a “constructive meeting” with Sentencing Council leaders on Thursday, after which Mahmood said she would “set out her position more fully” in a letter. The sentencing council agreed to “consider” the letter “before the guideline is due to come into effect” from April. The reforms were strongly criticised by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick when they were published last week. He told the Commons they would disadvantage white offenders. Mahmod said she would pass a new law to overrule the council if necessary, triggering a stand-off between the Ministry of Justice and the organisation it tasks with advising judges.
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