The so-called “two tier” nature of the UK’s justice system could get worse at the beginning of next month as new advice is rolled out. New guidance for judges would urge them to take a criminal’s ethnicity or religion into account before sentencing them. This is due to come into force from April 1.

The guidelines also state a pre-sentence report will usually be necessary before handing out punishment for someone of an ethnic, cultural or faith minority, as well as other groups, including young adults aged 18 to 25, women and pregnant women. The rules were drawn up by the Sentencing Council – a non-departmental public body. Conservative

 MP Andrew Snowden told Sir Keir Starmer, during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday: “In 20 days’ time new sentencing guidance will come into effect that the Justice Secretary has already conceded will be two-tier in its nature.

“It will mean that the colour of your skin or the religion you have will give you leniency in the eyes of the law and will plunge public confidence in the judiciary into crisis.

“But it is avoidable. We Conservatives have tabled a Bill that, if backed on Friday, can stop this guidance in its tracks.”

He added: “Will he now overrule his Justice Secretary and confirm here and now that he will back this Bill.

“Or will he simply step aside and prove that he has in fact been ‘Two Tier Keir’ all along?”

Sir Keir replied: “Everyone should be equal before the law, that is why the Lord Chancellor has taken up the issue with the Sentencing Council.

“But he needs to do his homework, because the proposal that he complains about was drafted in 2024, and the last government was consulted, and when they were consulted what did they say? They said they welcomed the proposal.

“I understand that the shadow justice secretary is taking the Sentencing Council to court. Perhaps he should add himself as the second defendant so he can get to the bottom of it.”

Labour’s Justice Se