"The policy position of the SLL is that these measures are a terrible mistake, are unworkable and must be stopped but they have been blocked from sharing that position with Labour MPs in a briefing of the sort which one would expect it to be able to make, said Turner, who added that pressure had come from ministers."
"David Lammy, the justice secretary, announced the plans last December that will take thousands of trials away from the jury system, to be heard instead by judges and magistrates. But the government has been facing discontent from its own ranks, including from 38 MPs who signed a letter urging the prime minister to reverse the plans."
"As many as 65 Labour MPs are understood to have been considering voting against the courts and tribunals bill before Monday's second reading. Turner said he was hopeful of being able to strip out aspects of the bill he and others opposed when it came to its report stage in the House of Commons."
The government's courts and tribunals bill, announced by Justice Secretary David Lammy, would remove jury trial rights in thousands of cases, transferring them to judges and magistrates. Approximately 65 Labour MPs considered voting against the legislation, with 38 signing a letter urging the prime minister to reverse the plans. Karl Turner, the backbench rebellion leader, alleged that the Society of Labour Lawyers was blocked from briefing MPs on their concerns about the bill, claiming ministerial pressure prevented this communication. The SLL views the measures as unworkable and must be stopped. Turner expressed hope of removing opposed aspects during the report stage, while some backbenchers may abstain or vote against the bill at later stages.
#jury-trial-reform #labour-backbench-rebellion #courts-and-tribunals-bill #legal-advocacy-blocking #parliamentary-dissent
Read at www.theguardian.com
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