DEVELOPING: Conservatives Launch Imminent Bid to Abolish Sentencing Council

Conservatives Pledge to Abolish Sentencing Council, Give Ministers Control Over Guidelines The Conservatives have announced plans to abolish the Sentencing Council in England and Wales, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick set to outline the proposals at the party's conference. The move would give ministers direct control over sentencing policy. According to sources, the council is "not fit for purpose" and its guidelines have created a "two-tier nightmare", with people treated differently by the courts. This comes after a public dispute earlier in the year between the Sentencing Council and the government over pre-sentence reports for offenders from certain minority groups. The Labour government had blocked updated guidance and reviewed the role of the Sentencing Council in response to the row. The Sentencing Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, would give the justice secretary veto power over new guidelines issued by the council. This move is expected to have significant implications for the UK's justice system, with critics warning that it could lead to inconsistent and unfair sentencing practices. The plans are set to be outlined in full by Robert Jenrick at the Conservative Party conference. This is a developing story, with further details and reactions emerging as the situation unfolds. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*