'Two-tier' justice row: Sentencing Council rejects minister's call for guidance rethink

Article here. Excerpt:

'Sir Keir Starmer today said he was "disappointed" with the Sentencing Council's refusal to change guidance and that "all options are on the table" over how the government might respond.

Ms Mahmood expressed her "displeasure" at the body's recommendations, arguing that "as someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for any differential treatment before the law".

She had recommended that the guidance be reversed, but because the Sentencing Council is independent, she cannot order them to do so.

Responding to the news that her requests had been rejected, Ms Mahmood said: "I have been clear in my view that these guidelines represent differential treatment, under which someone's outcomes may be influenced by their race, culture or religion.

"This is unacceptable, and I formally set out my objections to this in a letter to the Sentencing Council last week.'