New independent guidelines in the UK to produce ‘equitable sentencing’ of minority faith, ethic, and cultural communities has been slammed by both the Government and the opposition. The guidelines say that if an offender comes from a historically discriminated against minority, this could be a reason to hand down a more lenient sentence. However, critics say this means those who are not from such backgrounds, including Christians and straight, white men will receive heavier sentences which is a form of “two-tier justice”.

The Justice Secretary, Labour MP Shabana Mahmood, has said she will be registering her “displeasure” and will be recommending the guidance is reversed – however, as the Sentencing Council is independent, she cannot order them to do so.

The Tory justice spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, said the guidelines show a “blatant bias”.

Mr Jenrick told Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast it was evidence of “two-tier justice” and will be “very corrosive to public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system”.

“To me, this seems like blatant bias, particularly against Christians, and against straight white men,” he said.