Shabana Mahmood, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State to the Ministry of Justice, says that the impact of days of riots in the UK will linger for years. Beating the challenge of quickly punishing violent protesters will complicate the government's efforts to rebuild the justice system, according to the Minister.
Meanwhile, Mahmood claimed that the new Labor Government already had plans to fix the country’s justice system after reportedly receiving a massive backlog of court cases amid dwindling prison space.
In her words, “The impact of these days of disorder will be felt for months and years to come. They make the job of rebuilding the justice system harder.
“They also offer a sobering reminder of how much worse things might have been had this Government not acted fast, a few weeks ago, to address the crisis in our criminal justice system before it was too late.”
Shortly after coming into power in July, the Labor Government declared its intentions to free over 500 inmates early on to free up prison space, among other reforms.
Online disinformation on the Southport attack had been a major cause of the riots as thousands of protesters filled UK streets in the most violent recent demonstration ever witnessed in the country. Mahmood's comments come following an announcement from Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions that some rioters could bag prison terms of up to 10 years.
The Police have made 779 arrests so far, connected with the riots, out of which 349 have been charged. Most existing court sentences have included prosecutions for violent disorder, a lesser charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
However, Mr. Parkinson says that new cases connected with prosecutions for rioting could receive stricter prison terms of up to 10 years. “We warned of the consequences and we will deliver those consequences,” Mr. Parkinson explains.
Businesses Reopen After Violent Disorder; Seek Respite
The riots saw many businesses looted as rioting worsened the harm online misinformation caused in inciting the riots. According to the UK government, the riots caused “thousands of pounds of damage to shop fronts and stock,” as it acknowledges the need for widespread insurance respite for the enterprises.
As businesses reopen, the UK's business secretary has informed the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to resolve insurance claims by enterprises damaged during the riots quickly. The ABI leadership has demonstrated a willingness to resolve all business claims related to the protests as businesses reopen to serve their local communities.
Final Thoughts
UK Minister Sabhana Mahmood says the impact of UK riots will be felt for years as the Labor Government seeks to restore the justice system it inherited from the Conservatives. While the government sought to free over 500 inmates, the UK government has already charged at least 349 new individuals linked to the arrests, with claims of stricter charges underway.