David Lammy’s controversial court reforms supported by MPs despite criticisms

Evening Standard

David Lammy’s reforms of the courts system have been supported by MPs at their first Commons hurdle, despite accusations from his own backbench that he is using victims as a “cudgel” to push them through.Mr Lammy, who is also the Justice Secretary, had pleaded with MPs to support the Bill, warning there is an urgent need to address rising court backlogs.The Commons voted 304 to 203, majority 101, to pass the Bill at second reading.

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00:25I care profoundly about rape victims

00:28facing intolerable delays for their day in court.

00:31I know only too well what that feels like

00:34as after being raped at an event that I attended in my capacity as a Member of Parliament

00:38I waited 1,088 days to go to court.

00:43The violence against women and girls sector haven't had the opportunity to come together to discuss it

00:48and the government's framing and narrative has been to pit survivors and defendants

00:51against each other in a way I think is deeply damaging.

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