Former special adviser to Boris Johnson, Oscar Reddrop, has launched a scathing attack on new sentencing guidelines set to take effect tomorrow.
Speaking to GB News, Reddrop described the guidelines as "crazy" and warned they would undermine fundamental British values.
Reddrop said: "For this to actually be written into the sentencing guidelines is crazy.
"This isn't something that some think tanks put together or is projected to come in at some point in the future.
"This is happening. Within 24 hours, these sentencing guidelines will come into force.
"It completely undermines everything. Every pillar in terms of what we have and hold dear in this country in terms of equality under the rule of law. It is insane.
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"It will probably embolden some kind of criminal activity in many ways."
The controversy centres on new sentencing guidelines that will require judges to consider the backgrounds of offenders from ethnic minority groups before deciding on punishment.
The rules, which take effect on April 1, have sparked a heated "two-tier justice" row.
The Government has threatened to override the Sentencing Council after it refused to revise its guidelines.
Critics argue the approach will mean certain groups of people will be less likely to receive prison sentences for the same crimes.
The Sentencing Council has stood firm despite Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood requesting changes to the guidance.
Downing Street indicated that "all options" are being considered in response, including passing legislation to block the changes.
Under the updated guidance, judges will be expected to normally request a pre-sentence report on offenders from ethnic, cultural or faith minorities.
This also applies to other groups such as young adults under 25, women and pregnant women. These reports contain information about an offender's background to help judges decide appropriate punishment.
The Sentencing Council argues its new guidance aims to remedy a "disparity in sentence outcomes" between white and non-white offenders.
Lord Justice Davis, the council's chair, stated judges must "do all that they can to avoid a difference in outcome based on ethnicity."
He added: "The judge will be better equipped to do that if they have as much information as possible about the offender."
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Speaking to GB News, Reddrop described the guidelines as "crazy" and warned they would undermine fundamental British values.
Reddrop said: "For this to actually be written into the sentencing guidelines is crazy.
"This isn't something that some think tanks put together or is projected to come in at some point in the future.
"This is happening. Within 24 hours, these sentencing guidelines will come into force.
"It completely undermines everything. Every pillar in terms of what we have and hold dear in this country in terms of equality under the rule of law. It is insane.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- 'Persecuting his own people!' Keir Starmer blasted over incoming 'two-tier' sentencing guidelines as council REJECTS Labour plea
- Robert Jenrick BLASTS Shabana Mahmood for 'sitting on her hands' as UK faces 'two-tier' guidelines: 'Humiliating!'
- ‘Utterly scandalous!’ Ex-Met detective says leftist bureaucrats rule Britain as Sentencing Council REJECTS Labour’s demand to scrap ‘two-tier’ guidelines
"It will probably embolden some kind of criminal activity in many ways."
The controversy centres on new sentencing guidelines that will require judges to consider the backgrounds of offenders from ethnic minority groups before deciding on punishment.
The rules, which take effect on April 1, have sparked a heated "two-tier justice" row.
The Government has threatened to override the Sentencing Council after it refused to revise its guidelines.
Critics argue the approach will mean certain groups of people will be less likely to receive prison sentences for the same crimes.
The Sentencing Council has stood firm despite Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood requesting changes to the guidance.
Downing Street indicated that "all options" are being considered in response, including passing legislation to block the changes.
Under the updated guidance, judges will be expected to normally request a pre-sentence report on offenders from ethnic, cultural or faith minorities.
This also applies to other groups such as young adults under 25, women and pregnant women. These reports contain information about an offender's background to help judges decide appropriate punishment.
The Sentencing Council argues its new guidance aims to remedy a "disparity in sentence outcomes" between white and non-white offenders.
Lord Justice Davis, the council's chair, stated judges must "do all that they can to avoid a difference in outcome based on ethnicity."
He added: "The judge will be better equipped to do that if they have as much information as possible about the offender."
Find Out More...