Lord chancellor introduces three-sentence bill in attempt to end Sentencing Council row

A three-sentence bill introduced to parliament by the lord chancellor yesterday marks the government's attempt to draw a line under the controversy over guidelines on pre-sentence reports. 

The Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill contains one substantive clause. It amends S120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to insert the sentence: 'But sentencing guidelines about pre-sentence reports may not include provision framed by reference to different personal characteristics of an offender.' It goes on to state that examples of 'personal characteristics' include 'race, religion or belief and cultural background'.

The measure, introduced by lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood with the support of the prime minister, deputy prime minister and secretary of state for science, follows Mahmood's threat to legislate following the Sentencing Council's refusal to amend new guidelines. Mahmood and her opposite number, shadow lord chancellor Robert Jenrick, had attacked the presumption in the guidlines that pre-sentence reports should be adopted as a matter of course for offenders in particular ethnic and cultural groups. 

Earlier this week the Sentencing Council said it had postponed the introduction of the revised guidance. 

The bill will now go to second reading but is not expected to complete its passage before parliament goes into Easter recess on Thursday.