Guidelines suggesting that people from ethnic minorities should get softer sentences were drawn up on the back of recommendations by David Lammy, The Times can disclose. New guidance sent to judges said they should consider the background of members of ethnic and religious minorities when deciding whether to impose a custodial or community sentence. The guidelines were issued by the Sentencing Council, an independent body that provides guidance for judges and courts, and will come into effect on April 1. They have prompted claims of a “two-tier” sentencing policy that favours ethnic minorities. The council went ahead with the changes despite being told by magistrates during a consultation on the reforms that the guidance was “biased and conflicts with equality in sentencing”.
