Keir Starmer takes another punch to the gut as even his mentor accuses him of ‘betrayal’
The reform is part of the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which recently cleared its initial hurdle in the House of Commons.
Sir Keir Starmer's mentor has criticised the Prime Minister over proposed justice reforms. Prominent human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson KC accused Sir Keir of a "betrayal" as Labour controversially plans to axe jury trials. Mr Robertson founded Doughty Street Chambers, where Sir Keir used to work, and where Justice Secretary David Lammy also had his professional home. He has now published a 31-page polemic on the Bar Council website, branding Labour's proposals a "betrayal" of the party's values, "given its record of support for progressive causes, for free speech and peaceful political protests."
He further argued that the reforms would "take an axe to a piece of English heritage", even arguing that "MPs who vote in favour will be on the wrong side of their party's own history." Under the controversial proposals spearheaded by Mr Lammy, defendants facing sentences of up to three years in prison would lose their right to be tried by a jury of their peers.
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Mr Lammy is implementing major reforms to reduce the Crown Court backlog of 78,000 cases.
But the proposals already face Opposition from Labour within, as well as, less surprisingly, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and senior figures in the House of Lords.
One of Mr Robertson's arguments was that juries provide two irreplaceable advantages: independence from the state and the power to extend mercy to defendants who deserved it.
He warned that every case tried without a jury would necessitate written reasons, thereby making judges unavailable to hear other cases, The Independent reports.
"These considerations – and there are others – will impede the work of reducing the backlog," he stated. "Once Leveson is seen for what it requires of court time and resources, jury removal may well be a cure worse than the disease."
The reform is part of the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which recently cleared its initial hurdle in the Commons, despite significant dissent from Labour backbenchers.
