Justice Secretary David Lammy again declined to respond directly to parliamentary questions regarding his proposal to curtail jury trials in certain cases, instead delegating the task to his deputy, Sarah Sackman. The issue was raised during a Commons urgent question session focused on the government's plan to reduce the role of juries—an institution with an 800-year history—in favor of judge-led decisions.
Sackman faced criticism from members of both the Conservative and Labour parties over the government’s justification for the move. Lammy has argued that delays in the court system discourage alleged victims of rape from pursuing cases, asserting that 60% of such complainants withdraw because of these delays. However, this figure was challenged by Conservative MPs, who cited official data indicating that the withdrawal rate after charges are filed is closer to 9%.
During the session, Sackman appeared reluctant to engage deeply with these statistics, prompting Commons members to question the reliability and motivations behind the proposed reforms. Sir Julian Lewis (Con, New Forest East) emphasized the value of twelve-member juries as a check on legal professionals, while Paulette Hamilton (Lab, Erdington) argued that citizen juries help mitigate personal bias and external pressures that might influence judges.
Robert Jenrick (Con) took a measured approach in his questioning, focusing on the statistical claims underpinning the reforms rather than engaging in broader political rhetoric. Karl Turner (Lab, Hull East), a barrister and outspoken critic of Lammy’s approach, was unable to participate fully due to adjusted parliamentary scheduling and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s adherence to procedural rules.
Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) pressed for clear evidence justifying the dismantling of jury trials. Sackman repeatedly deferred, stating that Whitehall’s risk assessment would be provided at a later date, a response that was met with increasing skepticism and laughter from members.
Similar resistance was observed in the House of Lords, where Treasury minister Lord Livermore faced derision over pre-Budget leaks and the government’s insistence on confidentiality. Despite repeated assurances about the importance of the Treasury’s secrecy, members expressed open disbelief, underscoring a growing sense of parliamentary frustration with the government.
Meanwhile, former Labour leader Ed Miliband appeared before the Environmental Audit Committee, with observers noting his updated appearance and the overheated conditions of the committee room, an anecdotal reminder of wider discussions around environmental issues within Parliament.
Overall, the government’s proposal to limit jury trials continues to encounter significant opposition and demands for clearer evidence in both Houses of Parliament.