Convictions for sex offences fell sharply on Keir Starmer's watch
Convictions for sex offences fell sharply on Keir Starmer’s watch in his final year as Britain’s top prosecutor
- Just 55 per cent of those charged with sex crimes were then convicted in 2013
- Drop from 61 per cent coincided with Labour leader stepping down from CPS
- Ministry of Justice figures show convictions for sex offences are now 81 per cent
Convictions for sex offences fell in Sir Keir Starmer’s final year as Britain’s top prosecutor, it emerged yesterday.
Just 55 per cent of those charged with sex crimes were convicted in 2013, when the Labour leader stepped down as head of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The sharp drop from 61 per cent the previous year prompted an outcry at the time, with shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper warning of an ‘alarming justice gap’. Ms Cooper, who still holds the same role in Sir Keir’s team, said that ‘more serious criminals are getting away with their crimes without facing prosecution or the courts – let alone conviction’.
Ministry of Justice figures show that convictions for sex offences are now running at 81 per cent.
The figures are an embarrassment for Sir Keir, who has ordered a high-profile attack campaign on the Tories’ record on crime.
Just 55 per cent of those charged with sex crimes were convicted in 2013, when the Labour leader stepped down as head of the Crown Prosecution Service
Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands dubbed him ‘Sir Softie’ and told The Sun on Sunday he appeared to have put ‘far less effort into going after sex offenders’ than he did with a high-profile crusade against journalists accused of phone hacking.
He added: ‘It’s typical hypocrisy from a man who just says whatever the politics suits and refuses to take responsibility for his failures.’ Labour said the charging rate for sex offences was 24.4 per cent under Sir Keir compared with 3.2 per cent now.
A spokesman said: ‘Women terrified to go for a walk at night and victims waiting years for justice won’t forgive a government focused on chucking mud rather over taking action.’
Source: Read Full Article