Murder law set for review
Home Secretary Charles Clarke is set to announce a major review of the law on murder, which could see it radically shaken up.
He is expected to shortly unveil the terms of reference for what would be the first review for half a century.
It comes amid growing debate on whether murderers should automatically receive a life sentence.
Yesterday Lord Woolf backed calls for a review of the law on murder, saying he opposed forcing judges to give out mandatory sentences.
“I think there is a need for a review. I’m not in favour of mandatory sentences, full stop,” the most senior judge in England and Wales said.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett was the first to suggest a comprehensive review, and reports in The Times newspaper suggest that the review is set to be carried through.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed to the paper: “We will be announcing a way forward for that review shortly.
“Whatever happens, we will not compromise on the mandatory life sentence for murder and the murder principles as set out in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will continue to stand.”
The 2003 act imposes minimum prison sentences for lifers ranging from 15 years for an “ordinary” murder to longer terms for the most serious killings.
According to The Times, the Government’s review could consider changes in the definition of murder, to exclude crimes such as mercy killings.
The review could also look into introducing a whole range of categories of murder, with different sentences reflecting the degrees of severity.
Last month director of public prosecutions Ken Macdonald QC told the same newspaper that he “strongly” supported replacing the single crime of murder with a sliding scale.
